SHAKOPEE, MN – Though Veuve Clicquot was the fastest qualifier heading into the $57,325 Gopher State Derby, she was tepid on the tote board, going off at 6-1, only the fifth choice in the ten horse field.

She broke beautifully and never relinquished the lead under Stormy Smith, covering the 400 yards in :19.843 (95 speed index) and paid $15.20 to win.

“As long as they’ve qualified,” Smith said. “All the pressure is off.”

Spy for the Senate ($6.40) was second and Fast Bobby ($3.00) was third.

The $57,325 is the richest purse in the race’s history.

Smith, a semi regular at Canterbury every summer, will continue to travel up for races but will continue to return home.

“We have a new baby,” Smith said.  “Six month old Lylah is at home and I’m trying to spend as much time at home as I can.”

Lylah joins 12-year old twins Rayna and Mady and four and a half year old Seth – known as “Bean” – with Smith and his wife Bridget.

This edition of the Gopher State was the second fastest on record, eclipsed only by the 19.751 posted last year by First of 15.