SHAKOPEE, MN – Canterbury Park Hall of Fame trainer Mac Robertson isn’t one for the spotlight. He prefers to let his horses do his talking on the racetrack and the owners and jockeys afterward. However even he couldn’t help a wry smile from creasing his face after the Minnesota Turf when track announcer Paul Allen told the 20,000 in attendance that Robertson just swept the evening’s stakes races. The smile vanished quickly, however, as Robertson melted back into the crowd, heading to the paddock to saddle a $5000 claimer in the evening’s finale.
Robertson started off in the $50,000 Minnesota Turf Distaff with First Hunter ($8.00). The group of seven Minnesotans were led through the first half mile of the 7 1/2 furlong race by Some Say So in 49.03 under consistent pressure from Double Bee Sting. When Double Bee Sting tired, First Hunter, under Jareth Loveberry, picked up the chase heading into the far turn and started eating up ground on the leader.
“She’ll never win a sprint race,” said breeder/owner Joel Zamzow. “But she’s a grinder and tries awfully hard every time.”
First Hunter ground down the distance between her and the weakening Some Say So and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Maywood Hope ($8.80) closed hard to nose out the tiring front runner for second leaving Some Say So ($4.00) to settle for third.
“This kind of night is the reason I breed racehorses,” beamed the elated Zamzow.
Zamzow was trying to keep it all in the family in the Minnesota Turf when A P is Loose took to the track. A P is a half brother to First Hunter’s dam, Hunter’s Tiger Paw, and was also bred and owned by Zamzow.
A P took up a running position off the pace set by Tiger by His Tail, another Zamzow bred and a half to First Hunter though owned by Rick Nunley. Tiger by His Tail took the field through the first half mile in 48.01 where he began to tire badly.
Hot Shot Kid under Orlando Mojica picked up the gauntlet through the turn for home and struck to the front heading into the lane, opening a length and a half advantage. The old man, A P is Loose, charged hard after him but there was no catching Hot Shot Kid ($7.60) who prevailed by 3/4 length. A P is Loose ($2.80) was second and longshot Twoko Bay ($7.60) closed to within a head of AP to finish third.
A clearly thrilled breeder/owner Warren Bush was quick to praise Robertson.
“Mac is certainly one of the best,” Bush said, hoarse from a recovering illness. “We always listen to Mac. This was a really nice win.”
Hot Shot Kid has now won back to back Minnesota Turfs, last year over a sloppy main track and this year over a firm turf course, highlighting his flexibility. Hot Shot Kid has now won $422,190 with 10 wins in 25 career starts. The Kid has hit the board in 18 of those 25 starts.
