SHAKOPEE, MN – Despite the disappointing and confusing end to the 2023 Canterbury Park season, division champions were announced as well as leading owner, trainer and jockey for both thoroughbreds and quarter horses.
Dominating the awards were Horse of the Year, Top Sprinter and top Older Horse, Doctor Oscar and Older Female, top Grass Horse (and 2022 Horse of the Year) Midnight Current.
Joel Berndt, Harry Hernandez and Lothenbach Stables were once again trainer, jockey and owner of the meet on the thoroughbred side while Jason Olmstead, Edwin Escobedo and Tom Maher took the respective titles on the quarter horse side.
Here is the complete list of the 2023 champions.
Canterbury Park’s 2023 Horse of the Year and divisional champions:
• Horse of the Year – Doctor Oscar (owner: Peter Mattson : trainer: Tim Padilla)
• Sprinter – Doctor Oscar (owner: Peter Mattson : trainer: Tim Padilla)
• Older Horse – Doctor Oscar (owner: Peter Mattson : trainer: Tim Padilla)
• Older Filly or Mare – Midnight Current (owner: Lothenbach Stables, LLC : trainer: Joel Berndt)
• Grass Horse – Midnight Current (owner: Lothenbach Stables, LLC : trainer: Joel Berndt)
• Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding – Jose Patio (owner: Barry and Joni Butzow : trainer: Mike Biehler)
• Three-Year-Old Filly – Cupids Crush (Xtreme Racing Stables, LLC : trainer: Mac Robertson)
• Two-Year-Old – Relentlessly Fast (owner: Tom Maher : trainer: Tyler Stein )
• Claimer – Lock It Down (owner: Esteban Martinez: trainer: Esteban Martinez)
• Quarter Horse – Relentlessly Fast (owner: Tom Maher : trainer: Tyler Stein )
Leading Thoroughbred Jockey: Harry Hernandez 51 wins
Leading Thoroughbred Trainer: Joel Berndt 52 wins
Leading Thoroughbred Owner: Lothenbach Stables, Inc. 48 wins
Leading Quarter Horse Jockey: Edwin Escobedo 12 wins
Leading Quarter Horse Trainer: Jason Olmstead 15 wins
Leading Quarter Horse Owner: Tom Maher 10 wins