$100,000 Minnesota Derby and $100,000 Minnesota Oaks highlight program
Canterbury Park’s Made in Minnesota night on Saturday features the $100,000 Minnesota Derby and the $100,000 Minnesota Oaks. The one mile and 70 yard main-track derby pushes 3-year-old colts and geldings toward a large purse at a route distance many have yet to try. Love the Nest is second choice on the morning line at 2-1. The 3-year-old colt is trained by Joel Berndt for leading owner Bob Lothenbach of Wayzata, Minn. He will be ridden by Ry Eikleberry, who was also aboard Love the Nest in his Northern Lights Futurity win Sept. 8, 2021.
Love the Nest began his career at Canterbury Park and returned this season at the end of June. Trainer Joel Berndt thinks he has improved. “He put on some more muscle mass and mentally he is much more mature.” The Berndt and Lothenbach combo also have Cousvinnysacanuck, a popular choice of many local handicappers at 10 to 1 on the morning line.
Love the Nest last raced in the $60,000 Victor Myers on July 16 where he finished second by one length to Doctor Oscar, the morning line favorite in the Minnesota Derby. Both will be stretching out in distance for the first time.
Canterbury Park Hall of Famer David Van Winkle trains Doctor Oscar as well as Bens Malice who has route distance experience but only on the turf. Both are owned by Pete Mattson of Prior Lake. Doctor Oscar will be ridden by Chad Lindsay. Lindsay has been on for all six career starts with four resulting in victories. Alonso Quinonez rides the late-running Bens Malice.
The one mile and 70 yard Minnesota Oaks features 12 Minnesota-bred fillies, with Brewhouse favored on the morning line at 3-1. Owned by Vicki McGowan and John Mentz, the Mac Robertson-trained undefeated 3-year-old won twice in July including a front-running score in the $60,000 Frances Genter Stakes on July 16. Nik Goodwin will again be aboard Saturday.
McGowan was surprised with how small the filly was after she and Mentz acquired Brewhouse, but is pleased with how she grew over the winter. “She’s fast,” McGowan said. “She seems to work pretty good steadily.” Brewhouse debuted July 2 and won, leading all the way.
McGowan also has two other fillies in the Oaks, but she thinks Brewhouse, who will race at the distance for the first time, “has a shot.” Honey Bella and Gypsy Reward also run under Robertson’s training.
The 9-race card also includes two $50,000 stakes for older Minnesota breds. Ready to Runaway is the even-money morning line favorite in the Glitter Star at 1 and 1/16 miles on the dirt for fillies and mares. Ready to Runaway, 2020 Canterbury Horse of the Year, is trained by Robertson and owned by Mentz, and will be ridden by Eikleberry. The six-year-old mare has won this stake the last three years.
The Wally’s Choice likewise is run at 1 and 1/16 miles. The 9-5 morning line favorite is Thealligatorhunter, owned by Mattson and trainer Tim Padilla. The 4-year-old gelding won the Minnesota Derby last year and will be ridden by Quinonez.
Hot Shot Kid, Canterbury 2019 Horse of the Year, is also entered in the Wally’s Choice with Eikleberry aboard. Owned by the late Warren Bush and trained by Robertson, Hot Shot Kid has earned
$676,275 in purses, the second most all time of any horse bred in the state. A win by Hot Shot Kid would push him past the recently retired Mr. Jagermeister’s $700,839 in earnings.
Racing begins Saturday at 5 p.m.
