By Noah Joseph
The richest race of the season is upon us. The $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby is Saturday for 3-year-olds going one mile on the turf. Let’s meet the field.
1. Siem Riep. Siem Riep, a son of Tapit comes in off of a victory at Indiana Grand in an allowance optional claimer at derby distance. Prior to that, he broke his maiden at Monmouth before being sold to his new connections in July. He has been working consistently and has the turf ability to win this race, and jockey Declan Cannon comes in to town for the mount for trainer Ben Colebrook.
2. Line Judge raced here as a two year old, winning twice for local owners Barry and Joni Butzow and trainer Joe Sharp. This horse was good at two, but hasn’t been the same at three, but he’s only had two starts. The son of Spring At Last comes in off several good workouts, including one on the Saratoga turf; however, he’s never raced on it. Orlando Mojica, the winning jockey of last year’s derby has the call.
3. Sakonnet is an interesting entry in the race. The son of Scat Daddy comes off a maiden win at Ellis Park and has not worked since then, but the colt has been consistent, finishing in the top three five times in six starts. The horse may not win, but could be sneaky underneath, and this race could be a stepping stone for him. He’s one of two horses in here for trainer Anthony Granitz, and jockey Santo Sanjur is in for the ride.
4. Red Corvette has been a bit of head-scratcher in his career. The son of Warrior’s Reward has just one win in seven starts this year, the lone win coming at Arlington Park in an off the turf effort. He comes off two third place finishes here at Canterbury for trainer Gary Scherer, and Denny Velasquez is aboard for the first of two Scherer entries.
5. Witt’sdollarnight is a curious horse in here. He’s raced in Texas and Canada, recently finishing 5th in the Manitoba Derby. The son of Mr. Nightlinger has won at the derby distance, but hasn’t raced or worked on the turf, which is a drawback. Former Canterbury champion jockey Ry Eikleberry is back in town to ride for trainer Jerry Gourneau.
6. Breeders Cup winning connections of owner Mongolian Stable and trainer Enebish Ganbat, who campaigned the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Mongolian Saturday, are well represented here today with Mongolian Greywolf. The son of Grade One turf stakes winner Paddy O’Prado comes off a maiden on the turf at Arlington Park. He’s bred to handle the distance and surface, and looks very sneaky. Local jockey Hugo Sanchez is astride
7. The second half Anthony Granitz charge is My Bariley, and the horse has a lot to go off of. He’s a son of Mizzen Mast, who sired last year’s winner One Mean Man, so he’s bred for the grass. My Bariley is also a half-brother to stablemate and fellow Canterbury stakes winner America Mon Amie, who also won on the Canterbury turf. He comes off an allowance win at Indiana Grand after running 3rd in the American Derby at Arlington Park, and the last two running’s of the Mystic Lake Derby have been won by horses that ran in the American Derby. Local jockey Jareth Loveberry rides.
8. Diamondmaze is a horse who can really show ability. This son of Shackleford has won at the derby distance on the dirt and turf. He’s one of two horses in here from the bottomless barrel of horses owned by Bob Lothenbach. This one is trained by Joel Berndt. This colt will try to step up his game after a tough 3rd in the Manitoba Derby. Quincy Hamilton is up.
9. The other half of the Lothenbach charge is Giant Payday, the 7-2 morning line favorite, and has all the credentials to support it. The son of Giant’s Causeway comes off of an allowance win at Ellis Park. Earlier, in the year, this colt was going up against graded stakes company with little success. Ian Wilkes is the trainer, and he already has a stakes winner on the turf this year, and Giant Payday looks to add another stakes win for his trainer, and the first stakes win of his own. Chris Landeros comes in to ride.
10. Jack Snipe’s has been a mark of consistency in his career. He’s won at ages two and three, a stakes winner at two, and multiple stakes placed. The second half of the Scherer armada has not raced since April, but the son of Half Ours has been working consistently, and this race is a good place to bring him back. Nik Goodwin has the call.
11. Hot Shot Kid. What’s not to like about this horse? He’s done everything a horse could do. The son of Majestic Warrior has won five in a row including two stakes races for trainer Mac Robertson. He had his first work on the turf and absolutely crushed; however, he’s never raced on it and has never raced against open stakes company, but if the horses from out of town miss a step, look for Hot Shot Kid to take the money. Alex Canchari remains aboard.
There’s the field for the Mystic Lake Derby. Good luck to all the connections and all the bettors. The race is going to be fun.