SHAKOPEE, MN – On Hall of Fame night at Canterbury Park, inductee, owner Bob Lothenbach picked up a stakes exacta in the Minnesota Turf Distaff; the Strangis became the most exciting three horse race you’ll see; Sir Sterling stayed undefeated in 2023; and Cupid’s Crush continued to be awe-inspiring.
In the Frances Genter, Cupid’s Crush was the odds-on choice but no one was really sure what kind of race horse Ana Lee was. Ana Lee had one start and one win without really being challenged so while this step up was a big one, it was one folks were excited to see.
Cupid’s Crush broke well under Eduardo Gallardo as did Ana Lee with Alonso Quinones and the two put several on the field heading down the backside and through the turn. Straightening out into the stretch, Cupid’s Crush ($2.40) wore down her rival and drew off to win by 11 3/4 in 1:10.15. Checkcashinconnie ($7) was second and Ana Lee ($2.60) was third.
“Winning at Oaklawn is great, but winning here at home is really special,” said co-owner Mike McGowan. “She was solid at 2, but something really special at three.”
“She’s so sweet,” said Vicki McGowan. “She is right at the top of all the horses that we’ve had.”
Heading into the Minnesota Oaks, Cupid’s Crush has already proven she could handle added distance, winning at a mile earlier in the meet in the Sampson Oaks and should be an overwhelming favorite in that race. The winner is trained by Nate Quinones.
The win pushes her career earnings over $200,000.
In the Vic Myers, Sir Sterling went off as the even money favorite, took the lead and never looked back, taking the Myers by 2 ¼ in 1:10.26, staying undefeated in 2023 and notching his second consecutive stakes win for rider LIndey Wade and trainer Tony Rengstorf.
“It’s been a great year,” said breeder/owner Chad Kuehn who named Sir Sterling for his grandson. “I’m blessed to be in this position. I’m really on a high.”
“I got to work with this horse in the morning,” said winning jockey Lindey Wade, “and I knew I was sitting on a lot of horse.
“He absolutely impressed me today,” Wade continued. “I knew when someone came to my hip that he had a whole other gear.”
Roses by Liam ($4.60) was second and It’s Bob’s Business ($3.00) was third.
In the pair of $50,000 state bred turf stakes, the boys race was whittled down to three horses and the horse of the year in 2022 was trying to win consecutive Distaffs.
Scratches reduced the Strangis field to only three, but the most logical three prevailed and provided an entertaining race for the fans who were equally torn on who to bet.
Xavey Dave ($5.40), the longest shot in the field at 8/5 took command up the rail late from Thealligatorhunter and was able to hold off the narrow favorite, Stagecoach Boys, to win by a half-length in 1:28.22. It was the second stakes win for trainer Nate Quinones and jockey Eduardo Gallardo.
Midnight Current was looking to go back-to-back in the Distaff and for a while it looked like she would stay bottled up, unable to break free, but Harry Hernandez was able to angle her to the outside and she outfinished stablemate, Let’s Skedaddle to the wire in 1:28.39. The uncoupled entry from Hall of Fame inductee paid $2.80 for the winner and $2.60 for the second place Let’s Skedaddle. Scent of Success ($2.10) was third.
The winning trainer was Joel Berndt.
