SHAKOPEE, MN – Nearly 13,000 fans turned out on Memorial Day to dodge occasional showers, witness Frank the Tank take the bulldog racing crown away from Winston and watch a pair of turf stakes at Canterbury Park.
In the $50,000 Northbound Pride Oaks, locally based Hotshot Anna with Shakopee’s own Alex Canchari aboard stormed down the lane to out-finish Starr Bear in the mile turf contest.
As expected, the lightly raced speedster Miz Clipper struck to the early lead with longshot Dancer’s Notes. By the half mile call they were joined on the outside by an uncomfortable looking Bernadiva but by the time the real running started, the only question was who would finish stronger: Hotshot Anna, Bear Starr or Super Marina.
Super Marina managed to wrest the lead from Bernadiva momentarily in mid-stretch but was engulfed by first Hotshot Anna, then Starr Bear with Hotshot Anna prevailing by a neck.
“About the eighth pole I knew I had enough to win,” said Canchari. “At that point I was only concerned about the horses that might be coming from behind me.”
Hotshot Anna (Trappe Shot-Avalos-Holy Bull), owned by Hugh Robertson and trained by Canterbury Park Hall of Famer Mac Robertson, paid $5.40 as the favorite and covered the mile in 1:36.70. Starr Bear returned $4.00 to place while Super Marina held on for third ($4.00).
Jockey Deshawn Parker hadn’t laid eyes on Shadow Rock until the morning of the $50,000 Honor the Hero stakes but that was no obstacle for the veteran winner of over 5,000 races. He read the Form, prepped for the race and then guided Shadow Rock to a game victory in the turf sprint for owner Michael Hui and trainer Mike Maker.
“Mike doesn’t give too many instructions: just read the Form and ride the race,” said Parker.
Parker allowed Shadow Rock to track behind the early speed in the five furling sprint while remaining in striking distance.
“I tried to save ground and when I got loose, he just went,” said Parker.
Shadow Rock and Wildfire Kid battled it out down the lane with Shadow Rock prevailing by 3/4 of a length. Shadow Rock had to wait out a claim of foul from Wildfire Kid’s trainer Robertino Diodoro before returning his backers $8.20 for the victory. Wildfire Kid paid $4.40 to place while favored Shogood returned $2.20 to show.
