Hard Work Pays Off
Jose Silva Jr. truly did start from the bottom and work his way up. At age 18, he became a groom for his dad’s horses, caring for them as if they were his own. After his dad thought he succeeded at that, Silva Jr. transitioned to an agent to better understand the condition book. Again, […]
Memorial Day Winners All Wet
BY JIM WELLS On a day clearly designed for ducks, there they were…a mother and her ducklings swimming across the track near the 16th pole, ostensibly headed for the infield pond late Monday morning. A random poll of long-time race fans determined that for the first time in Canterbury history, dating to its days as […]
Running of the Bulldogs
What does the perfect day consist of? To many, the answer to that question involves Canterbury Park, beautiful weather and bulldog races. The annual Running of the Bulldogs was held on May 26 with 16,064 visitors. The day consisted of 72 bulldogs and six heats. The winner of each heat will be invited back on […]
Racing Has Returned…Officially
By Jim Wells There are ribbon cuttings, grand openings, kickoffs and numerous other designations for the start of something, but sometimes it is a nebulous matter, left to the whims of the individual. The start of the horse racing season in Shakopee falls into that category. The live thoroughbred racing season began on May 3, […]
Canterbury Regulars Like More Than Horses
BY JIM WELLS Not everyone has completed their enchanted connection with the most watched television series in the world. Many are still holding up their hands to prevent comment on the conclusion when the subject is introduced. “Don’t tell me; I’m going to finish it this weekend, ” they’ll say. “Is the ending really as […]
Rivelli’s Leading Ladies
By Noah Joseph On Memorial Day, one of the featured races on the card at Canterbury Park is the $50,000 Honor the Hero Stakes. This five furlong turf sprint has attracted some of the best turf sprinters in the country in its history. One of the horses nominated to this year’s edition is Wellabled, trained […]
Elvin Gonzalez Joins the Jockey Colony
If you are not familiar with jockey Elvin Gonzalez, just hang around the winner’s circle and you will be sure to find him. New to Canterbury this season, Elvin has ridden four of the first six days. He skipped opening weekend here to remain in New Mexico, honoring a commitment, so he could win a […]
Grace & Gamblers
‘Why?’ – that was the question posed to Julie Welle as she waited in the paddock while her racehorse Satellite Storm, the first she has owned, was being saddled for the upcoming race. “Why do you own a racehorse?’ “I’ve been hanging around him too much,” she laughed, pointing at co-owner Peter Seals. Welle owns […]
Arrieta Hot on Chilly Afternoon
By Jim Wells On Preakness Stakes Saturday, the sun was absent, the temperature 49 degrees with easterly winds of 14 mph and the humidity a damp 74 percent, which, all combined, produced the feeling it was about to snow. Do not let that missing element fool you. It was still much like an early winter […]
A Random Night At The Track
There are random acts of kindness, random phenomena in the firmament and random occurrences at the racetrack. Set aside all of the explanations offered by handicappers, trainers, riders or physicists with a particular take on why certain things happen in the barn, on the racetrack or in the skies above us. Some things happen simply […]