SHAKOPEE, MN – July 3 is one of the biggest nights on the Canterbury calendar for the fans.  One of the finest fireworks displays in central Minnesota will be launched after racing on Tuesday night but before the horses are bedded down and the barns closed up to keep the noise out, Minnesota bred turf horses will try and make some fireworks of their own in the Princess Elaine and Blair’s Cove Stakes.

In the $50,000 Princess Elaine, First Hunter and Some Say So will continue the rivalry that these 5-year old mare began when they were three.

The two have met seven times with First Hunter only getting the better of her rival once with Some Say So winning three times, including the 2017 Minnesota Turf Distaff and last yea’s Princess Elaine.

Both opened their 2018 Canterbury season on June 17 in a 7.5 furlong $40,000 open optional claiming race.  First Hunter closed hard but could not catch Some Say So with the Minnesotans finishing first and second.

The extra distance of the Princess Elaine with First Hunter heading out for the second time this season and eligible to improve makes her the slight 5/2 morning line favorite over Some Say So at 3-1.

By no means is the Princess Elaine a two horse race, however.  Multiple stakes winning Pinup Girl has started the season very sharply with victories in the Lady Slipper and off-the-turf Minnesota Turf Distaff.  She has proven she can get a route of ground but this will be her first time on the turf.

Pinup Girl comes into the race with her own budding rivalry with Double Bee Sting, winner of the 2017 Minnesota Oaks.  Double Bee Sting fought Pinup Girl hard down the lane of the Turf Distaff only grudgingly giving way late to lose by a nose.  While only on the turf once, she was third, only beaten a length in an open $25,000 optional claimer last season.

Thus far in 2018 Honey’s Sox Appeal has not run back to her championship form that landed her back to back Minnesota Distaff Sprint championships as well as not missing the board in three turf attempts.

Later in the card the boys will take to the turf in the $50,000 mile and a sixteenth Blair’s Cove Stakes.  Fan favorite, 7-year old A P is Loose will look to add to his over $375,000 in earnings and his first win of 2018.  Last year A P is Loose gave way late to stable mate Teddy Time who scored at 22-1.  A P is Loose loves this Canterbury turf course, having only missed the board once in 16 starts while picking up seven wins and just under $250,000.  The old warrior has had a rough start to 2018 with a lackluster run in the 10,000 Lakes and a tiring 3rd in an off the turf $40,000 optional claimer.  The weather looks favorable for Tuesday and a return to the turf could be just what the vet ordered.

Last year’s upset winner, Teddy Time, debuted in the off the turf Minnesota Turf where he closed steadily to finish third in a solid prep race.  He finished 6 3/4 lengths behind Hot Shot Kid who steamrolled the field after finishing 2nd in the 10,000 Lakes opening weekend.

Hot Shot Kid, the 2017 Minnesota Derby winner, is in fine form and rounds out a formidable trio for trainer Mac Robertson.

Fireman Oscar, who held his own in turf sprints during Gulfstream’s championship meet over the winter, will be stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth after running 5th in the five furlong Honor the Hero on June 2nd.

Deep closer Where’s Jordan did not care for the sloppy going in the off the turf Minnesota Turf but should relish the opportunity to get back on the grass and should have an honest pace to run into late.

Canterbury will have a special 4 PM post time this evening with the Princess Elaine as the sixth and the Blair’s Cove the tenth.  Fireworks should begin about 30-45 minutes after the conclusion of the last race.