Best Bet: Race 1 SHILOH REIGN 3-1
Long Shot: Race 7 ICE ROCKET 15-1
Race 1
SHILOH REIGN drops in class to face MN breds and also switches surfaces after showing speed on the turf. Last time out at this level and distance was a second by a head. This adds up to victory today for the Wolff barn. ….BEAUASODA has back to back seconds on record and improving speed figures. Likely prospect to hit the ticket….JAMES CAIRD, the big son of Gazebo, drops in class and gets blinkers for his final race of the meet. He showed promise early in the season but recent form is not sharp. Maybe the drop will help.
Exacta: 2 over 5,11
Daily Double: 2 with 4,5,6
50 cent pick four: 2 with 4,5,6 with 10,11 with 1,5,10 = $9 wager
Race 2
From a pace handicapping perspective, JESTINTIME should benefit late from a hot early contest. He just made up ground in the stretch sitting close to a fast early pace and should see the same set up today. Shepherd will press and pounce…..FRIENDLY FORCE gets the services of top jock Dean Butler. He has been toiling at this non-winner of three races level all summer but can’t find the wire in front. He has finished behind the top choice twice and may do so again. Look at the odds as the 6-1 morning line would be enticing were it offered at post time….NOT SO FAST FESTUS cuts back in distance for a high percentage stable. He is wheeled back in six days to try a distance where he has a win. Eikleberry will likely stalk and hope to pass horses late.
Exacta Box: 4,5,6
50 cent trifecta: 6 over 4,5 over 1,4,5,8
Race 3
STREETFLANKER debuted August 14 and ran a very sharp second for Rarick. Every reason to think this filly will be even better this time around. She has some speed and should not be inconvenienced by the outside post. The easy answer…..DARLING WENDY chased the top pick when they met and finished two lengths behind. The trip was less than perfect. Definite contender…..MISS K. O. flashed speed at a big price in the same race as the top two picks here. She however did not go on with it and lost by 25. Butler signs on this time to see if he can right the ship. There appears to be talent and we know she has speed. Just need Butler to coax a finish from her.
Exacta Box: 10,11
dime superfecta: 10,11 over 10,11 over 1,5,6,7,8,9 over 1,5,6,7,8,9
Race 4
A nice field of 2-year-olds line up to close out the early pick four. Leading trainer Mac Robertson is patient with babies and usually only sends them out when he expects a top effort. That leads to first timer NOLAN’S REVENGE for Jer-Mar Stable. Works are ok; you just have to trust that this colt will run a bit…..COMMON SENSE looks like, of those that have run, the one to beat. Fast race last time when facing a very good one. Outside post is pesky but this Mattson colt may have the talent to overcome…..EARLY GIRL is from a stable that can pop with first timers and the owner/breeder is known for quality. Worth a long look.
Trifecta Box: 10 with 2,5,9
Exacta Box: 2,5,10
Race 5
The late pick four wager begins here. Bet small with a chance to win big. KANAKAVALI was favored on Aug . 15 and failed to fire, running one of the poorest efforts of what has been a consistent summer. She is better than that. Bravo adds blinkers today and keeps Butler. Note that the last race was after being away for more than a month. She may have needed one… SIMPLY FLAWLESS, the morning line choice, is a class dropper with a touch of speed. Eikleberry needs to get her involved early or risk being too far back to close into the fray. No surprise if she wins but maybe value lies elsewhere….SANDYS SHINEYSHOES tore away from the field in deep stretch in her debut for the top barn. There probably is more under the hood of this MN bred filly. While the time wasn’t anything special, it didn’t look like she had to work too hard to get it done….. CITIZENS ISSUE is playable if you think she can get loose on the lead and save something for the stretch. Her lone win can at a shorter distance so the final 16th of a mile may be a bit of an adventure. Morning line is 5 – 1 and you get D. Bell.
Exacta : 5 over 7,8,9
50 cent pick four: 5 with 4,5,10 with 8,9,12 with 8,10
Race 6
SPECTACULAR DEMI was stretched out in distance last time and faced allowance foes. He showed his characteristic early speed but did not last long. Now Bethke cuts him back in distance and drops him in class. He should be able to handle the pace and have plenty left to push home in the lane. Could be a price too…..SOMERSET IMAGE is just 1 for 24 but last time he raced with blinkers for the first time and seemed to wake up. He gets hung outside but has plenty of backstretch to get over and gain good position before the turn…..MR. DOFF, 12-1 on the morning line, drops in for an all-time low claiming tag. His form is cloudy and he does not have the speed figs of the others but merits consideration. Hall of Fame trainer is good on the class drop.
Exacta: 4 over 1,3,5,9,10
Race 7
A full field on the lawn may yield a big price as no horse leaps off the page. The MN bred ICE ROCKET makes his second try on the turf and has the breeding and connections to be a success at a big price. He has been rounding into top form and could have one final big effort in him. Goodwin should be able to track mid-pack and make a move coming out of the turn. Ice Rocket’s lone turf try came last year where he finished last facing stakes-caliber runners. His form at that time was way off. Expect more today…..PROSPECTIVE KISS is proven on the grass. He faced a tough field last week and ran very well, taking the lead late before faltering. The post position is not a plus so Shepherd will need to work a little magic…..PIONEER EDITION just lost by a nostril against allowance foes. This MN bred hails from a top barn. He has the right running style to impact in the lane….CLAXTON is the morning line choice. He has been on the shelf since early July. The bullet workout stands out and Reedy generally has them ready to fire. D. Bell knows how to win with this claimer. They teamed up for two victories already this summer.
$1 Exacta Box: 4,8,9,12
$1 Pick Three: 9 with 8,10 with 1,8
Race 8
DARING ATTRACTION gets top jock Dean Butler today. The Brinson barn, a welcome addition to the Canterbury backside this summer, wins at a high rate and has this 5-year-old in sharp form. He has 7 wins from 12 career starts. Last effort, after shipping from Canada, was an even run. This will be his first try on the turf. Interesting possibility…..PROGNOSIS NEGATIVE is a hard-knocker that gets a piece often enough. He is not a turf star but at this distance his up close running style will do him well. One to watch….PETERMAN has been racing long on dirt and turf but if you track his sprint efforts he actually fits well here. He should be overlooked in the wagering which means he provides value up and down the ticket.
Exacta Box: 1,8,10
50 cent trifecta: 8 over 1,10 over 1,3,7,10,11
Dime Superfecta: 8 over 1,10 over 1,3,7,10,11 over 1,3,7,10,11
Race 9
The day concludes with another huge field. GO FOR THE MOON drops in class for leading trainer Robertson. The filly is also switched to the main track, a surface on which she is winless. In fact, in 17 starts she has only one once. She stands a good chance to score here but the main drawback could be a short price…..YA’LL COME BACK is another class dropper. She went favored last time and never was involved. Quick workout is noticeable but why the drop on a filly that appears to be full of potential? Another that will be bet down….ISLE DOITFORYOU is a play for those that are averse to the short prices that will be offered on the top two picks. This filly has poor Iowa form and skimpy speed figures. You are betting that she likes the new surroundings.
Dime Superfecta Box: 1,2,4,8
Best Bet: Race 1 SEIS IT FAST
Longshot: Race 8 NICE TO MEET ME
Race 1
The 17th edition of the Minnesota Festival of Champions begins with the Quarter Horse Futurity. SEIS IT FAST is a perfect four for four, winning two trials, the Stallion Breeders’ Futurity, and the NCQHRA Futurity. He has top shelf connections: leading QH rider Ry Eikleberry, top trainer Ed Ross Hardy, and leading owners Bob and Julie Petersen. This will be Hardy’s 10th QH training title in Shakopee. Eikleberry will win his 3rd riding title and the Petersen’s are the leading owners in Canterbury QH history in both wins and earnings. All that is needed is a clean break to get this 2-year-old to the winners’ circle….Hardy also trains V OS NICOTINE for Rodney Von Ohlen. He was a nice winner in a trial in June and recently endured a troubled trip in a trial in Iowa. Needs to step it up today to win……CS ARC LIGHT has yet to run as fast as the top two but this colt deserves a chance. He is bred to be a good one. Cam and Sylvia Casby are no strangers to success on this big day, having won five Festival quarter horse races.
Exacta: 7 over 5
Pick Three: 7 with 4,6 with 3
Race 2
SIX IT UP deserves to be the favorite off the two 100+ speed indexes and the open length win in the Morehouse. Trainer Clay winning at a 44% clip in Shakopee. Wellington rides and he is one of the best. Well bred filly has really flourished here….TRES BULLION, by the same sire as Six It Up, has the breeding to get 400 yards. He is lightly raced and has upside galore. Sneaky player….OAK TREE BOULEVARD has been a bit of a mystery. He started the meet with a win and then went downhill. He did finish second in the Morehouse but was never a threat. This is the top trainer so respect must be given. Can the ’09 MN Futurity winner come up big on Festival Day?
Exacta: 4 over 5,6,7
50 cent trifecta: 4 over 5,6,7 over 5,6,7
Race 3
CHICK FIGHT won the Distaff Classic last year en route to being named the Horse of the Meet. A win here would make her a contender for that honor again. Mac Robertson sprinted her on August 19 and she aired by three lengths. She is proven at this distance. This could be a very good day for the Robertson barn as he also trains SHESO DAZZLING. This 3-year-old filly has two local wins in as many starts. Her breeding suggests distance and she sure showed talent. If ready she could surprise…..SASHA’S FIERCE flew home to be second in the Oaks at 21-1. Trainer always around when money is on the line….NOKOMIS has done nothing but win since arriving at Canterbury. This will be a big test of class…..CHASIN MASON rounds out the field. The bottom level claimer seems overmatched here. This one also is trained by Mac.
Exacta: 3 over 1,4
50 cent pick four: 3 with 5 with 1,2,3 with 2
Race 4
Mac Robertson has won the Distaff Sprint the past three years. Last year was with BELLA NOTTE and she looks good enough to repeat today. There is some speed for this Eaton bred to deal with but her class should quickly dispatch those runners while she cruises to the wire in front. The one to beat…..SPECIAL OCCASION won the Lady Slipper Stakes on opening weekend, beating Bella by more than a length. She came right back and ran a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in defeat. Most recent try, off a two month freshening, was merely a prep. If the speed falters she is the logical filly to pick up the pieces……HER SWEET SAINT won on this day last year, capturing the Northern Lights Debutante. This season she won the Genter by a nose. Oaks try at a longer distance did not work but should have increased her stamina. Back to a sprint distance, with a pace pressing trip, she could make some noise…..DOWNERBYTHEMEADOW is a speedball that has had success at the claiming level. She will show speed but will be tested for class…..BECKER COUNTY MISS is good when she finds the lead but has not been able to lately. Rincon could send her but may just hope she can be patient and rate…..SHOT OF SILVER has won over this oval 11 times in her career. Consistent closer loves to earn a check. Could be part of the exotics at a price.
Exacta: 5 over 1
Trifecta: 5 over 1,2 over 1,2,4,6
Race 5
SARAHS SON won the Turf Classic last year, making his characteristic late charge down the middle of the lane. In this short field, traffic should not be much of a problem. He just needs the speed to soften a bit. Recent try was against good open company. State breds beware as D. Bell will be flying late…..SIR TRICKY won this race in 2006. Mac trains him and the top pick. Super one-two punch for the leading barn. Sir Tricky has paired victories and enters this stakes in peak form. He will have first run at the speed. Dangerous for sure…..MACK’S BLACKHAWK is a threat to steal this on the lead. He has won two in a row for Jensen. If LUVIN’ GEORGE does not push the pace then Mac may lose to Mack. Luvin’ George got his maiden breaker on August 15 on the turf. He sat just off the pace that day and maybe Eikleberry uses the same tactic. That decision could be the key to this race….MINNESOTA MAFIA is a mare taking on the boys. This will be just her third start of the season. She won the Princess Elaine Stakes last year and was third this summer. Last out was against males and she ran last. Bullet work since that effort makes her an intriguing exotic possibility……BEAU NAMED SUE has always done well on this turf. He is a closer that will make a run. Might get part of this on the bottom of the ticket.
Exacta: 2 over 1
Trifecta: 2 over 1 over 3
Superfecta: 2 over 1 over 3 over ALL
Race 6
ESPRIT DE BLEU crushed for size in her debut on June 17. Mac has been working her steadily with the Northern Lights Debutante in mind. Bleu Valley Farm won this race in ’08 with Chick Fight and may be back in the winners’ circle if what we saw on display in June was for real. This filly has natural athletic ability and may find the front of the pack. Bleu looks like the one to beat….CONGRATS AND ROSES is two for two and has never seen a horse in front of her. She may need to really go to be on the lead in this race. Can’t knock her on any count. Bell and Biehler a good combo. Proven commodity can win…..SPEAKERS ACTION won by six lengths in her second career race. Trainer Vic Hanson has won this race three times and knows how to prep a young horse for the big day. Hall of Fame breeders Almar Farm last won the Debutante in 1988. Bernell Rhone, the all-time leading Festival Day winning trainer with 13 victories, conditions SAM’S GRINDSTONE for the Sampsons. The dam, Samdanya, won this race herself in 1997. This filly was no match for Congrats but 2-year-olds in good hands can jump up in a hurry…..Hanson also trains CABOOSIAN LASS. This filly just broke her maiden on Aug. 12. She may not have the early speed of the others…..GRACE OF GREATNESS is the second Robertson runner entered here. She won at first asking in July. Sale topper in MTA sale of ’09 could be a good one…..ALL BETS ARE OFF just ran off by 5 ½ with Morales aboard. Speed figs aren’t as flashy but she is bred to go longer….DAZZLING MARNA has been beaten by others in this field and will be a big price. Tough outside post could hamper her.
Exacta: 2 over 1,4
Dime Superfecta: 2 over 1,4 over 1,3,4,5,6 over 1,3,5,6
Race 7
The early pace scenario may decide the outcome here. For NOMOREWINEFOREDDIE to win, he needs to see a speed duel develop. Butler has made all the right moves this year and will have Eddie in the right place when they turn for home…..BIZET, winner of this race last year, has tactical speed. Eikleberry will likely opt to sit just behind the leaders and close up ground. Last try was a troubled trip and a fourth place finish. He is better than that……FIRST CAPTAIN can win this if Lori Keith can shake clear early. This 4-year-old can run a fast half mile and still finish strong. Left alone early he may never look back. Keith has had a good summer at CBY and many of her wins have come on the front…..TIMBER HILLS is a maiden and a victory here would be one for the record books…..COCONINO SLIM won for fun in his second career start. He will need to go faster early if he hopes to see the front. Lightly raced and in good hands he could surprise…..BET YOUR BOOTS is a stakes winning sprinter. He won the Northern Lights last year. Capable of running a big number, he might be overlooked in this race…..MACK’S MONARCH, claimed last time by Dougie Huntington, is all speed. If Luark sends, and that appears to be the only way this horse can win, he might run First Captain into the ground and set it up for the closers. Bet away.
50 cent Pick Four: 3,5,6 with 4,6,10 with 1 with 1,5,9
Race 8
NICE TO MEET ME is a sneaky good thing. His recent win was a pace pressing effort with a strong finish. Yes he got whacked by Mondovi in July but that was with a bug rider. Butler rode him last time but goes elsewhere leaving the mount to Seth Martinez who will give a solid effort. The jock change could lead bettors elsewhere making this 2-year-old a big price. Crafty trainer can score all the money…..SAMENDRA won on the engine in career debut and looked like a pro in the process. This is where Butler lands. Connections are impeccable. This is the one to beat……MONDOVI was favored in the Barenscheer after winning by many in his career debut. The Barenscheer did not work out so well for this son on Pioneering. Granted the shipper crushed him so maybe the return to state breds will be easier. Tough post and a likely short price make this one to play against. If he wins, he deserves it…..FOR INSTANCE wired a field in June. He has been working well for Hall of Fame owners…..TOWN VICTORY gets D. Bell. Trainer Biehler, who has been here for two decades, has yet to win this race…..DANCINGWITHBIGRON was favored facing winners in early August and did not fire. He did face a faster pace than he had seen before so maybe the experience will help him today. Big morning line price…..BIG BAD FORCE can sit off the pace and close. That could come into play late……BLACK TIE BENNY is a good looking son of City Place. Yes he is a maiden but he improved last time, losing by a neck. Rhone brings them around slowly. Don’t overlook…..MR. BUBBA CAT won way back in June. Lasix is added today and Lori Keith gets the call for Hanson. A lot of good things can happen in two and a half months….GOOD GUY LARRY ran a closing third in his first start. Goodwin rides today.
Exactas: 6 over 3,4,10 and 4 over 6
Pick Three: 6 with 1 with 1,5,9
Race 9
The Minnesota Classic Championship rounds out the stakes portion of Festival Day. SUDDENLY SILVER has not won a race since he won this very stakes in 2008. His most recent effort was on the lawn where he showed very good speed and only tired late. That will set him up for victory today for the Eatons and Robertson. ….WALLY’S CHOICE needs the pace to melt down for him to make a late charge. This champ is 7 for 11 at this distance and has done a lot of damage on the dirt. He needs to find the form of old…..TSAR TOPS DANCER is a 3-year-old that is in deep here but he jumped up and won the MN Derby at 29-1 when he tried two turns for the first time. He has enough speed to stay with Silver. Interesting upset possibility…..CUBFANBUDMAN is a closer that seems to get a piece often but has not tasted victory since 2008. Top jock Butler tries today…..CRYPTO EDITION is a claimer with a closing kick. He would need a career best to top this field…..BANKER’S D LIGHT won the last time he raced here. That was in Aug of ’09. Since then he has been campaigning in the southwest. Odd that he ships here to face these bears…..JACK AND MAX is trained by Robertson as well. Best efforts are on the lead. Hard to see Martinez sending this guy to battle early to duel with Suddenly Silver.
Exacta: 1 over 3,4
Pick Three: 1 with 1,5,9 with 6
Race 10
HERE COMES HENRY has won on this turf and has been facing better recently. D. Bell will sit patiently and pounce when it counts…..TUBBY TIME has back to back front running wins on the dirt. Today he tries turf. Tougher to lead all the way on the lawn. But its Mac and Seth….SAHM VALENTINE is winless on sod but hits the board and is in good form. Morales is riding well this season on turf.
Exacta: 5 over 1,4,9
Dime Superfecta Box: 1,4,5,9
Race 11
The summer of racing concludes on the turf. RECORDING CONTRACT just won here. She has some great speed figs for this race and turf connections. While she more often than not settles for a minor award, today looks like go time……TEZ SAVITRI draws the far outside, never an easy spot at this distance. But it would seem fitting to see Dean Butler win the final race of the meeting. Lone turf try for this filly was a win at 43-1. Bernell Rhone has had an exceptional summer……MORGANS A BLUMIN flew home to win by four lengths last Sunday. Mac brings her right back for more. Seth took her way back and made his way through traffic to score. Mac is always a player at Canterbury.
Exacta Box: 1,6,10
Dime Superfecta: 6 over 1,7,10 over 1,7,10 over 3,4,7
Thanks for joining us this summer. We look forward to seeing you here throughout the fall and winter as we await the return of live racing in 2011.