SHAKOPEE, MN – Nominations closed Friday for the Mystic Lake Northern Stars Racing Festival to be held on June 23rd in conjunction with the Jockeys and Jeans fundraising weekend at Canterbury Park.

Five stakes races, worth $500,000, will be run that evening.  A fundraising banquet will be held for the Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser as well, beginning at 6 PM.  Tickets for the dinner are $50 and can be purchased here.

The featured race, the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby, drew 35 nominations.  Included in the group are: Minnesota phenom Mr. Jagermeister; Graded takes winner The Tabulator (who defeated Mr. Jagermeister at 2 in the Prairie Gold Juvenile); Lothenbach stables Captivating Moon, second in a pair of graded stakes (the Transylvania and the American Turf); and upset winner of the off the turf Pat Day Mile, Funny Duck.

The $100,000 Lady Canterbury, the track’s signature filly and mare race, drew 39 nominations including Barry and Joni Butzow’s Sirenusa.  Sirenusa is a perfect three for three and won the Northbound Pride Oaks here on Memorial Day in impressive fashion.

Godolphin’s multiple stakes winner, Hallie Belle, graded stakes winner (Ashland) Sailor’s Valentine and Michael Maker trainee, the multiple graded stakes placed Gianna’s Dream are also nominated.

The $100,000 Mystic Lake Mile features nominations from the past three Mystic Lake Derby winners: Nun the Less, One Mean Man and Giant Payday.  Ten year old multiple graded stake winner Slim Shadey is also nominated as is the winner of the Honor the Hero stakes earlier this season, Wings Locked Up.

Not to be lost in the shuffle, last year’s winner and runner up, Hay Dakota and Majestic Pride, are also nominated to what could end up being a very competitive edition of the Mile.

Also to be run that day are the $50,000 Dark Star Cup and $50,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes.

“I am pleased with the number and quality of nominations to all five of the stakes,” Director of Racing Andrew Offerman said. “There is interest from all parts of the country as well as a very strong local contingent. The early summer Northern Stars Racing Festival creates many opportunities for stables gearing up for action in the coming months.”

You can find the compete list of nominations here.

Entries will be drawn Wednesday for Saturday’s card which will feature a special post time of 6 PM.