Minnesota Fesitval of Champions Day - Preview

Tomorrow is the 17th renewal of Minnesota Festival of Champions Day and it was originated to celebrate the best horses bred in Minnesota much along the lines of Maryland Millions or Cal Cup Day. Not all the races have been contested every year but each year it is looked to anxiously by Minnesota owners hoping to have their baby crowned a champion right here on the home turf in front of family and friends. It’s a bittersweet day, though, since it also marks the end of live racing for the year. Looking forward to live racing is what gets a lot of us through the long winters here and to have it be over so quickly amazes me every year.

I don’t know a lot about Quarter Horse racing except that they sure are fast! I’m not going to get into any detail on the two QH stakes except to give you my selections based upon very little!

Minnesota QH Futurity 350 Yards
$15,000

Selection: Seis It Fast

Minnesota QH Derby 400 Yards
$15,000

Selection: Six It Up

On to the thoroughbred races on the card now.

Minnesota Distaff Classic – 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
$50,000

A disappointing five horse field heads into the starting gate. Interesting side note in the race, only two trainers are competing for top honors here: Mac Robertson and Gary Scherer.

1 Sheso Dazzling (Robertson/Martinez): Started the season with a dazzling MSW win, trouncing a field of 9 by over 15 lengths and barely breaking a sweat doing it. Her next start was at Prairie Meadows, looking for some of that slot money, where she finished a healthy 2nd in a $29,000 allowance. Back home again she nabbed a $19,000 state bred allowance before taking the last seven weeks off after moving from the Von Hemel barn over to Robertson’s care.

2 Nokomis (Scherer/Bell): It’s kind of hard to tell where she fits among Minn breds since she spent her life in Kentucky where she didn’t do much but is two for two here at Canterbury. I don’t think she’s near close to Chick Fight, but a step up from her last could get her on the board.

3 Chick Fight (Robertson/Butler): The 4-5 ML favorite is Chick Fight. She came back from her year off to lose a nose decision to Special Occasion in the Lady Slipper but won her three subsequent sprints over the main track. Where she has faltered has been trying longer or the turf course. She’ll be flying from the gate and most likely will still be in front at the wire. Class should win this for her, though I really don’t LOVE her over this distance.

4 Shasha’s Fierce (Scherer/Eikleberry): A nice racehorse who has really perked up since asked to go two turns, but I think she will be behind the top two. She was clearly second best in the Minnesota Oaks and if two turns is really her calling, then look out.

5 Chasin Mason (Robertson/Cardoso): While you like to think that every horse has a chance and that’s why the run the race, you can throw out Chasin Mason from the outside. The mare hasn’t won since October 2009 and has only competed at the $4000 and $5000 levels.

Selections:

Chick Fight
Sasha’s Fierce
Nokomis

Minnesota Distaff Sprint Championship – 6 Furlongs, Dirt
$50,000

Another six horse field headed by the brilliant speedster Bella Notte.

1 Special Occasion (Padilla/Rivera): 11-1 winner of the Lady Slipper who clearly benefitted from the speed duel between super fillies Chick Fight and Bella Notte. Two seconds since then but one was a sound defeat at the hands of Chick Fight sprinting 6.5.

2 Her Sweet Saint (Hanson/Keith): 3-year old winner of the Frances Gentner but destroyed in the Minnesota Oaks it’s pretty clear that this one prefers sprinting.

3 Downerbythemeadow (Johnson/Arroyo): This is the lady that Special Occasion wants to see pushing Bella Notte on the lead. While she can do it for a few strides, there is no way she keeps up and she’ll do little damage to the favorite.

4 Becker County Miss (Johnson/Rincon): Beaten by Special Occasion by 12 lengths earlier this season while both were losing to Chick Fight. She certainly has some talent and hopes her stablemate can wear down the top choice, but it’s going to be a tough one.

5 Bella Notte (Robertson/Eikleberry): Bella Notte comes into this race having just dismantled a field of $62,000 Optional Claimers in Chicago and looks very sharp. She was able to hold sway in the Princess Elaine this year, but in her two losses she was pressured from the get go and she faded near the wire. In the Lady Slipper it allowed Special Occasion to sneak through and nip Chick Fight by a nose. Tough to see that happening again.

6 Shot of Silver (Rhone/Butler): Solid $10,000 claimer but could be out of her element in here.

So is there a lady in here that can push Bella Notte from the beginning and give Special Occasion the chance to get the upset again? The only other early speedster in the race is Downerbythemeadow and she just does not seem to have the class to stay with Bella Notte for very long. The exacta looks to be solid with Bella Notte over Special Occasion. Should she prevail, it would give Mac Robertson four Distaff Sprint titles in a row and the first back to back wins by a horse since Nidari in 2000-2001.

Selections

Bella Notte
Special Occasion
Becker County Miss

Minnesota Turf Championship – 1 Mile, Turf
$35,000

1 Sir Tricky (Robertson/Martinez): While not the class he once was (2008 Sprint Champion), in this short field he could be dangerous and is coming off of back to back wins in mid-level open claiming company.

2 Sarahs Son (Robertson/Bell): Robertson trainee is looking to be a back to back Turf Champion. He’s having another solid year winning the Blair’s Cove and finishing 2nd in his other three races. He’ll be closing hard to try and finish this field off.

3 Mack’s Blackhawk (Jensen/Goodwin): The pacesetter should be Mack’s Blackhawk a four year old gelding that finished third behind Sarahs Son in the Blair’s Cove and then took two in a row while posting a nice 80 Beyer while being bumped in his tune up for this one.

4 Minnesota Mafia (Scherer/Rivera): Mare Minnesota Mafia looks to be out of her element here. She’s coming off the turf for this one but does not look like the same mare since she threw her rider at Remington Park last fall.

5 Luvin George (Rarick/Eikleberry): Coming in off of his $25,000 Maiden Claiming win, though he’s improved considerably on the turf. I don’t think he’s improved THAT much.

6 Beau Named Sue (Miller/Olesiak): Numbers seem to fit and it was nice looking back over her PPs and recalling how she was beat by Fizzy Pop last summer. I don’t think he has the class to beat the top in here.

Selections

Sarahs Son
Mack’s Blackhawk
Sir Tricky

Northern Lights Debutante – 6 Furlongs, Dirt
$55,000

Too many with too few starts to break down the entire field of two year old fillies.

Co favorites going in are Congrats and Roses who is two for two in her brief career and Esprit de Bleu whose only race was an absolutely dominating debut win, smoking a MSW field of 9 by almost 11 lengths. She hasn’t been back since that June 17 win, but has been working steadily with a sharp 5 furlong gate work last week.

Everybody seems to want the lead from the open in this one – everyone except the Bernell Rhone trainee Sam’s Grindstone. She would really need to step it up here in order to win, but should Esprit de Bleu not have the class to hold off the entire field early, look for Sam to come late and try and steal this thing. That’s where the value bet is going to be and I’ll have a small wager and use her in the exotics.

Selections:

Sam’s Grindstone
Esprit de Bleu
Congrats and Roses

Minnesota Sprint Championship – Six Furlongs, Dirt
$50,000

1 Timber Hills (Rarick/Goodwin): Still a maiden after being DQ’d from victory in a $25,000 Maiden Claimer in June, this one will need to really step it up to break his maiden in here.

2 Coconino Slim (Porter/Shepherd): A bit of unknown, lost by a head in his debut but bounced back to win next out impressively, though these are his only two starts of his career. Whether he can step up in here without the seasoning that the others have is the question.

3 First Captain (Hanson/Keith): First Captain was a bit warmer earlier in the meet but seems to have tailed off more recently while tackling tougher than before. This group is even tough than those so I don’t see her breaking through here.

4 Bet Your Boots (Bethke/Rivera): Last year’s Minnesota Futurity winner has had a nice year with stakes wins in Nebraska, Manitoba and right here in Shakopee in the VS Meyers and a nice second place showing in the Minnesota Derby. He’s much more suited to this distance, though.

5 Nomorewineforeddie (Riecken/Butler): Comes in as the slight morning line favorite. Last out was a third place finish in a $35,000 Optional Claiming race but if you look to the right, it’s hard to see a more troubled trip line! Stumbled at the start,boxed in, blocked and then steadied. Wow.

6 Bizet (Padilla/Eikleberry): The defending champion finished behind Nomorewineforeddie in their last prep for this race – though neither won – while Bizet easily handled him, and everyone else, in the 10,000 Lakes earlier in the season with Bet Your Boots getting schooled by his elders in that one.

7 Mack’s Monarch (Huntington/Luark): Really the only horse in the race that consistently likes to try and wire the field – odd for a sprint race – but class is decidedly against him in here.

This race has produced several multiple winners over the years including Iwazza Bad Boy, Ryans Moment and Careless Navigator twice each and Crocrock who scored three times in a row and then nailed a fourth in five years. Bizet is back this year to try and stake claim as another back to back champion but it won’t be easy.

I think the three in the middle are the biggest threats to win this thing and there are things to like about each. With three and a half months of maturity in him and a move back to a sprint, I like Bet Your Boots in this one.

Selections

Bet Your Boots
Nomorewineforeddie
Bizet

Northern Lights Futurity – Six Furlings, Dirt
$55,000

With three maidens and every other horse in the race only having won once, this one is a bit of a more wide open affair than the others today. Only three of the horses in the race have another race in them after their maiden wins, two of those in a stakes and only ML favorite Mondavi is stakes placed.

Truly no one stands out in what is essentially a first level allowance race. There are a couple of impressive first out winners in here like Bernell Rhone’s Samendra and Mondovi. Another first time winner was Mr. Bubba Cat, but it’s hard to hang your hat on a three and a half furlong race. Especially since he hasn’t been back since that race in June and returns with Lasix.

In this one I’m going to go with Samendra. If he can improve off of that first out race he could have his way with this field.

Selections

Samendra
Mondovi
Dancingwithbigron

Minnesota Classic – 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
$50,000

With defending champion, and my horse crush, Perfect Bull, out with an injury this season, the field of seven is not dominated by a single contender but does have some old warriors as well as a youngster trying to stake claim to the meets top three year old colt or gelding.

1 Suddenly Silver (Robertson/Eikleberry): Last year’s classic runner up draws the rail and the mantle of luke warm morning line favorite. In only four starts this season he is waiting for his first win. His efforts haven’t been poor at all, but neither have they been impressive placing in each race since losing in his debut in the 10,000 Lakes. He seems to have been pointed for this one though and with these connections that always means trouble for everyone else.

2 Cubfanbudman (Riecken/Butler): Beyers have been decent and a nice third place in open allowance company last out while encountering some trouble could signal that he is ready to take the next step.

3 Tsar Tops Dancer (LIftin/Rivera): Upset Minnesota Derby winner really came to life his first time around two turns winning at an amazing 29-1 while dueling for the lead much of the way. His speed figures tend to put him a step behind some of his older rivals, but if truly has woken up and smelled the coffee going longer, he could very well take another step forward today.

4 Wally’s Choice (Biehler/Bell): The “Old timer”, a nine year old gelding and two time winner of this race has had a less than marginal season, running six times but his best finish being a fourth. He may have seen better days, but he’s still a joy to watch run.

5 Crypto Edition (Robertson/Cardoso): I’d be very surprised if a $7500 claimer can step up and win this race.

6 Banker’s D Light (Van Winkle/Keith): Shipping home to run in this one, if I don’t think a $7500 claimer can win this race, I certainly don’t think that a horse that has run – and not won – for as low as $4000 can win it either.

7 Jack and Max (Robertson/Martinez): The third Robertson entry in the race. Allowance winner may try and wire this field, but it’ll be tough to do coming from the outside, especially if Suddenly Silver wants the lead today from the rail.

In a field with no real stand out, it’s hard to tell who to pick. I think that the way the race will unfold is that Suddenly Silver may end up having things his own way and could very well prevail on the front end. Last season was a short one for him, similar to this one where he was pointed right at this race but fell short against champion Perfect Bull. He’ll give you a game effort every time and the distance will be more to his liking than what he has run in the past.

Selections

Suddenly Silver
Tsar Tops Dancer
Jack and Max

I will be blogging live tomorrow from high atop Canterbury Park thanks to Jeff Maday and his staff at the track. I hope you’ll pop in from time to time on-line and join me as I provide live updates all day long from the track.

Opening Day at Canterbury - Come to the Races, Buy a Horse

Tonight racing returns to Canterbury Park. This will kick off the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of racing at the Shakopee, MN oval. As always, track management is ready to make the most of the short live racing season we have up here in Minnesota once again making Canterbury a summertime destination entertainment experience.

The biggest change this year is free admission all season long. Right out of the gate you're walking in $5 to the good! Like last season, every day regular racing day will be themed:

Thursday Nights (starting in June) - Buck Night! $1 hot dogs, programs and other specials;

Friday Nights - Minnesota's Biggest Happy Hour! Drink specials and live music!

Saturdays - Silver Celebration. Saturdays will feature a look back at classic moments in Canterbury's history.

Sundays - Pepsi Family Day! Free pony rides, face paintings and other activities.

Just a few of the special events planned for the season include:

Memorial Day's year's supply of gas giveaway;

June 25's Canterbury Uncorked - an evening of unlimited food and fine wine for only $40;

An 80's celebration on June 25 on Hot Tub Time Machine night followed the next day by;

Silver Anniversary Celebration - $0.25 programs, $0.25 Pepsi and free commemorative posters, and;

The always popular July 3rd Fireworks spectacular.

Opening weekend also provides some great racing with two stakes slated for Saturday, the $35,000 Lady Slipper Stakes for Minnesota bred fillies and mares and the $35,000 10,000 Lakes Stakes for Minnesota bred Colts and Geldings. Each race provides each own challenges and both fields are very competitive.

Lady Slipper Stakes

This race makes me almost regret missing Opening Weekend (family conflict). The most compelling storyline of this year's race is the showdown between the Mac Robertson trained duo of 4-year old filly Chick Fight and 6-year old mare Bella Notte. Both a two of the most successful ladies that Minnesota has ever produced.

Last season, Bella Notte dominated the older ranks winning two of the three stakes she entered included last year's renewal of this event. She capped off her season with an absolutely dominating win in the Minnesota Distaff Sprint winning by 15 lengths and earning a lifetime best 100 Beyer. With earnings north of $146,000 and finishing in the money in eleven of thirteen lifetime starts (ten for ten at Canterbury), she's an absolute force.

No slouch herself, Chick fight started her 2009 Canterbury campaign getting beat by almost 12 lengths in a non-descript $25,000 Optional Claiming race. After two months off and a switch to jockey Dean Butler, Chick Fight ripped it up winning the Frances Genter, Minnesota Oaks and the Minnesota Distaff Classic in a row. Though her Beyers were not as impressive as her older stablemate and rival, her wins were dominating.

Throw in three other stakes winning or placed fillies and mares and you have yourself a very competitive Lady Slipper.

10,000 Lakes Stakes

The 10,000 Lakes marks the return to Canterbury of my horse crush Perfect Bull. Unlike his final races at Canterbury last season though, Bull won't be favored and will have his work cut out for him as he breaks from the disadvantageous 11 post in the six furlong sprint. Additionally, the field features several top notch sprinters including the 2009 Kenny Shoepf winner Nomorewineforeddie, the 2009 Minnesota Sprint Champion Bizet, 2009 Northern Lights Futurity champion Bet Your Boots, Canterbury legends and multiple stakes winners the 9-year olds Sir Tricky and Wally's Choice and last year's 10,000 Lakes runner up Trickyville Dew.

Upper Midwest Two-Year Old in Training Sale

I've mentioned on multiple occasions that ours is the only sport that you can attend one night, enjoy yourself and then buy your own franchise. Saturday night that all can come true! After the great stakes races, stick around for the Upper Midwest Two-Year Old in Training Sale sponsored by the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association. Some featured stallions this year include Silk Song, Ballado Chieftan, Macho Uno and Smarty Jones. These two year olds will be ready race this season at Canterbury and beyond so come on out and get into the game!

Horseless; The Pride of Minnesota

Well, my feet are sore, my back hurts and I'm exhausted from two consecutive days on my feet (and one to go) at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. Of course the annual casino supplier extravaganza is hardly interesting for those of us that own racehorses (of course if we also sell slot machines, then it hardly gets more interesting). What is interesting is that I'm a man without a horse. VIP Stables sold I Am Woman yesterday in Ohio. It was a sound decision and one that was probably overdue. If she kept racing in Chicagoland at the $4000 claiming level, I think we would have been better off, but the decision was made to move her East for larger purses and, of course, tougher competition.


Over time, she only was able to race once or twice a month with much stiffer competition. Sure the purses are better, but racing every week for less ends up as racing for more if you can't get into a race. For those of you unfamiliar with Standardbreds, they can race every week with their gaits being much less stressful on their bodies than their Thoroughbred cousins. They need R&R from time to time as well, but you can get about 30 races a year out of them if you treat them right. She sold for $3,000 or $8,000 less than the RNA on her back in the Meadowlands sale last January. It's tough to call her a success by any measure.


No matter, the fact remains that I'm horseless. It's much more difficult attracting partners when you have no news! But I won't let that rush me and my team to grabbing a horse just so we can race. We'll take our time and make sure we give ourselves the best opportunity to win with the decision we make.


At this point, I really have two options: pick up a horse and send to (or claim with) Bernell and get ready for Tampa Bay Downs or do the same with Tammy Domenosky in Chicago. There really are only two bottom lines that I have. The first is that our horse needs to be able to compete well outside of Canterbury Park and the second is that we race at Canterbury over the summer. As we get larger, requirement #2 will change as we expand to other jurisdictions. However, right now I have several Minnesota partners and they want to be able to see their horse run in person. I can certainly respect that and there is no reason we can't be successful here and elsewhere.


Perfect Bull Ends Season


As you all know, I fell in love with Perfect Bull (Holy Bull - Perfect Moment - Dazzling Falls) when he was two and just shipped to Bernell Rhone's barn. He won the Minnesota Derby, Minnesota Classic and was second in the Prairie Meadows Derby this past summer. He finished off his 2009 campaign on Sunday under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs where he was given a shot in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (Gr 3). After being caught four wide in the first turn, Bull was fried and never really had a chance to close in the stretch. While it was a tough finish to the year, it was a remarkable season for the Minnesota bred winning four of twelve, hitting the board in half his starts and ammassing $124,848 in earnings. It was a helluva run this season for owner Red Dog Stables. Congratulations to them, Bull and the folks in the Rhone barn. Very nicely done and we're all proud of you!

Perfect Bull Smokes Elders in Classic

Three year old Minnesota Derby winner Perfect Bull (Holy Bull - Perfect Moment - Dazzling Falls) took on 5 elders and Dean Butler piloted him home in an easy race. He tracked the leader throughout and when they hit the stretch, he hooked up the pace-setting defending champion Suddenly Silver and went by with ease. Suddenly Silver was able to hold on for second. In both Classics, Butler steered a three year old to victory over older horses - and both in impressive fashion.

Congratulations to our friends in the Rhone Barn, Dean Butler and the owners, Red Dog Stables. A job very well done.

Results:

1. Perfect Bull (1)
2. Suddenly Silver (3)
3. Silver Wilbur

Minnesota Derby and Oaks Results

Minnesota Oaks

Chick Fight did NOT get off to the lead in this one despite breaking well. She was beat to the front on her inside by Katie Is Smart and there they went all the way around until the top of the stretch. Chick Fight found another gear and while Katie Is Smart tried hard, she was no match for Chick Fight stretching out to the mile and 70 yard distance to win by 3. Before becoming official Chick Fight had to survive an objection by Katie Is Smart jockey Jose Bettancourt for interference at the top of the stretch. While they were in close quarters and Chick Fight did angle in a bit, Katie Is Smart did not have to check up and as she moved deeper into the stretch she continued to drift outward on her own accord while holding the place spot. A well deserved win for Chick Fight, trainer Mac Robertson, jockey Dean Butler and owners Bleu Valley Farm (Deb & Jeff Hilger). She'll be a tough on come Minnesota Festival Day on the last day of the meet.


Top 3:

1. Chick Fight (Ted's pick)
2. Katie Is Smart
3. Five Nations


Minnesota Derby

Perfect Bull broke well and settled mid pack through the first turn and down the backside. As the field started it's turn for home, Dean Butler started to pick off horses one by won until he came face to face with pacesetter Jack and Max and upstart A Steel Trap trying to close into the lead. It was not to be as Bull powered by them both drawing off to win with Jack and Max holding strong for second and A Steel Trap winning a photo for 3rd from Nomorewineforeddie. Congratulations to trainer Bernell Rhone, jockey Dean Butler (a stakes sweep today!) and owner Red Dog Stables on a very nice win for Fizzy Pop's stablemate.

Top 3

1. Perfect Bull (Ted's pick)
2. Jack and Max (3rd choice)
3. A Steel Trap

I'd love to toot my own horn here going two for two, but neither was a particularly tough race to pick and, therefore, very chalky. But wins are wins!

What A Weekend!

There sure was a lot going on this weekend. We'll go with first things first and touch on the Preakness.

The Preakness is the race I would most like to win - that is no secret. I started my "racing career" there punching tickets in graduate school. This year was something special. I watched the race from the grandstand at Canterbury Park and there was cheering with every step the filly took around the track. Rachel Alexandra is something special and she appeared to win with something left in the tank. I have heard a lot in the last few days that the way Mine That Bird was charging, the extra distance of the Belmont will make all the difference. Maybe that's true, but to base that on the way the Preakness was run is a big mistake. There is a strategy going into every race and the way a mile and three sixteenths would be tackled is different than the way you'll set up for a mile and a half. The "shape" of the race, if you will, will be different and that opens up a lot of possibilities.

Canterbury Park opened this weekend. Two weeks later than usual, but still a highly anticipated and highly successful weekend of racing. I captured the sites and sounds of that earlier this weekend and that post was picked up by Equidaily - helping spread the word of our little jewel around the country. Over 20,000 fans watched the races this weekend launching a summer of racing in Shakopee.

I Am Woman is still struggling back East. On Saturday she moved from the Late Closing ranks into a Non-Winner of 3 race at Pocono Downs which actually carried a slightly higher purse and class rating than the Late Closer at Tioga. For the second race in a row she was well driven and well placed heading into the stretch but just could not keep up. We'll see what the folks at VIP Stables have in store for her next, but I hope it's a significant drop into the claiming ranks and let her re-establish her confidence and give her the opportunity to start picking up checks again.

On Sunday, Fizzy Pop made his 2009 Canterbury debut. It was a $25,000 Optional Claiming race going a mile and 40 yards on the dirt. He was being ridden by Jose Ferrer as regular rider Dean Butler was to ride 3-year old Minnesota bred (and outstanding colt) Perfect Bull. My biggest fear all this week was that the new rider would not have the same feel for the horse or understand his quirks like Dean does. I figured he and Bernell Rhone would cover that before the race. Unfortunately there was some type of delay in Ferrer getting to the paddock and he emerged in just enough time to get a leg up. Bernell didn't have time to go over anything with him, though he obviously tried. Sadly my worst fear came true. In theory the distance should have been a bit short for Fiz, what happened, however, made it look like it was too long.

Fizzy makes his move at the top of the turn for home or just as the field straightens out in the stretch. Ferrer moved him heading into the far turn and he was up by a length with most of the stretch to go. Despite the excitement around me, I didn't feel comfortable. I knew Chicago shipper (and big time closer) O'Connell's and Perfect Bull were yet to make their moves. Sure enough Fiz fizzled in deep stretch while Perfect Bull showed why he is going to be a horse to be reckoned with all summer long. The Bull won the race (congrads to the Red Dog folks - good people who deserve good things) and O'Connell's finished second (they may be good people too - just don't know 'em!). We were only 1.5 lengths out of it at the end. I don't know if Dean could have won the race for us, but I'm pretty sure the early move didn't help our boy either.

Finally there was the Upper Midwest Two-Year Olds in Training Sale put on by the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association. I don't know the final results yet, but I have heard they were a little disappointing. It certainly wasn't from lack of effort. Kay King, Executive Director of the Association, and her volunteers did a wonderful job organizing and setting up the sale. It's a big and thankless job, but it was done and done well. Thanks and congratulations - whatever the dollar outcome.

So there was good and not so good this weekend. But there will be other races and the upside is that the "other race" will be here at home for the summer.