Race 1: FULL OF GRACE is a six-time winner that likes the Canterbury oval and is dropping in class for Robertson. Should work out a good trip while stalking the speed and pouncing late. AUNT RUTHIE is unbeaten but hasn’t faced much in her two starts. Needs to keep improving to win. ORNAMENTAL IRON comes from a high-percentage barn and adds blinkers.
Race 2: FULLBRIDLEDPHANTOM is in top form and the jockey/trainer combo of Negron and Evans dominated the Turf Paradise meet this winter. SORRISO tired badly last out at Santa Anita but if you draw a line through that race, he could be hard to catch. LIBERTARIAN needs the speed in front of him to collapse but will be flying late.
Race 3: ALWAYS COOL has raced well in the past off a similar layoff and has enjoyed considerable success on the local turf. Consistent type should continue his winning ways. WHERE’S JORDAN is a hard-knocking veteran who has won $113K on the Canterbury sod. Will be rolling late after two prep races in Florida. KINETIC SWAGGER should get a nice trip and be in the mix at the end.
Race 4: READY TO RUNAWAY is the defending Lady Slipper champion who returns to her home track, where she dominated last summer. She’ll be tough to beat. CLICKBAIT prefers this distance and loves Canterbury. Could complete a Robertson exacta. STAR OF THE NORTH has been dominant in her past four races but steps up in class and faces older for the first time.
Race 5: HOT SHOT KID get’s the nod in this very contentious rendition of the 10,000 Lakes. Last year’s winner returns with a Oaklawn prep under his belt for Robertson, who has won his share of Minnesota bred stakes over the years. MR. JAGERMEISTER, who has not won in 15 months, will try to regain his winning form. If he does, watch out. DROP OF GOLDEN SUN ran very well last summer but might want longer.
Race 6: DRAMA CHORUS has speed and a great post to stalk and should finish strong. A duplication of his last race at Tampa will get him to the winner’s circle. WELL READ is well-bred to fire early for Canchari/Robertson. LESLIE’S GOLD is from a sire that has had 23% winners from first time starters but draws the difficult rail for his debut.
Race 7: GIVEITSOMEWELLIE runs for the third time off a layoff for Cappellucci, who wins 42% of the time off the claim. Bred to love the surface. NORTH OF EDEN drops in class hoping to find the winner’s circle. LILA’S LUCKY LADY is the morning line favorite and talented but draws a tough post position and will have to avoid being parked wide into the first turn.
Race 8: SAILING ALONG broke her maiden against open company at Will Rogers in her debut and did it impressively. A repeat of that performance will make her tough to beat against Minnesota breds. HELL OF THE NORTH has faced much tougher in her two races at Tampa and shortens up to a distance she may prefer. MIDNIGHT CURRENT beat the boys last fall and returns for last year’s leading trainer.
Race 9: TAPAGE should benefit from a hot early pace with many horses wanting the lead. This pace scenario should set up for his late running kick. TWOKO BAY likes the track surface and is usually in the mix at the end but has had a hard time getting to the wire first recently. CANDY COVE likes to win but is moving way up the claiming ladder.
