The Great Rains of 2007
By Noah Joseph This weekend at Canterbury is a special one. This weekend is when we hold the annual Indian Horse Relay races. In addition to this exciting and brave display of horsemanship, Canterbury will hold three stakes races: the $50,000 Minnesota H.B.P.A Distaff; the $50,000 Brooks Fields Stakes; and the $50,000 Mystic Lake Turf […]
Chasing The Dream
By Mari Ballinger They’re the five best friends that anyone could have. Lee Hesselroth, Don Grossbach, Jerry Moser, Gary Jennenke, and Tony Ebert all met through friends of friends, and have since formed a partnership to own horses. Some of the friendships are new, while others have known each other since youth. In fact, Hesselroth […]
Mr. Jagermeister Impressive in Chesapeake Stakes Victory
Mr. Jagermeister won the $100,000 Chesapeake Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths Saturday evening at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia. The 4-year-old Minnesota-bred colt was ridden by Leandro Goncalves and is trained by Valorie Lund. As the wagering favorite he paid $4.20. Goncalves rode Mr. Jagermeister confidently on the inside, battling with Old Time Revival […]
Let’s Talk About Success
By Mari Ballinger One week. Two racetracks. 24 races. 11 wins. Those kind of statistics can only belong to one jockey, and that is Orlando Mojica. On August 4, 2019 Mojica raced at Canterbury Park, finishing first aboard Unfailing in a claiming race. Hours later, he was on a flight to Canada to race at […]
Free Willy
By Noah Joseph In the history of Canterbury Park, few trainers have come close to the success of Mac Robertson. In his time here in Shakopee, Mac, a Canterbury Hall of Fame member, has won over 90 stakes races, leads all trainers in track history in earnings and win percentage, and has been the leading […]
It’s a Family Thing
By Mari Ballinger Canchari is a popular name around Canterbury Park. That’s because brothers, Alex and Patrick, as well as their dad, Luis Canchari, all rode or are currently riding here. Alex Canchari had his professional riding debut on December 26, 2011 at Hawthorne Racecourse just days before his eighteenth birthday. But, life at the […]
Mr. Jagermeister Ships East To Race Saturday
Bon voyage to 2018 Canterbury Park Horse of the Meet Mr. Jagermeister who ships Wednesday morning from Shakopee to Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia for the $100,000 Chesapeake Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. Accompanying the 4-year-old Minnesota-bred colt on the 1,250 journey will be trainer Valorie Lund and two other […]
Bev and Dan Mjolsness – Canterbury Classics
By Mari Ballinger Does the name Hoist Her Flag ring a bell? Well it should, because she was the winningest mare in Canterbury history. Hoist Her Flag was named Horse of the Year in 1987, with two stakes wins: Mighty Miss Handicap and Eden Prairie Stakes races, and again in 1989, this time with four […]
Royal Cash Flash Cashes In
BY JIM WELLS Occasionally all you need to know about a race is the history of the right horse, its past performances naturally, but also heritage and most importantly the intuition of the owner. A conversation with Canterbury’s champion quarter horse owner Brenda Reiswig would have revealed everything necessary before Sunday’s $72,300 Gopher State Futurity. […]
Strangis Operated At Racing’s Helm
By Jim Wells Ralph Strangis typically impressed newly-made acquaintances the same way: ” What a nice guy,” they would say. As they got to know him, those impressions expanded: “Never met anyone like him, so gracious, understanding and knowledgeable.” Those who really knew him understood even more: “So smart, what a businessman, what a head […]