Trainer Robertino Diodoro did not spend much time in Minnesota in 2020. He may have come to town once, on closing week. He had a pared down stable that in 2019 had 277 starts but just 78 last season. Even with reduced runners the three-time Canterbury champion trainer finished fifth in the trainer standings. This year he may fill as many as 55 stalls.
He started four horses last week over the first three days of the 65-day season, winning once, with his assistant handling the saddling. Tonight Diodoro was in town. Tonight Diodoro was winning. He won race two with Ice Pop and Luis Negron aboard. Race four went to C Dub for Empire Racing and Diodoro. Lindey Wade rode that one. Race five. Same result. Diodoro. Win number three. Zorich this time with Ty Kennedy for Empire. Race seven. Shinny battled on the front and went on to win. Diodoro and Wade strike again. Diodoro’s runners in the sixth and eighth finished second.
Diodoro has been busy this spring with the taleneted 3-year-old contender Keepmeinmind who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness.
“He shipped to Belmont today,” Diodoro said. “We are 50/50 to run.” The owners are contemplating what might be best for Keepmeinmind. There is a lot of money out there in the lesser acclaimed 3-year-old races. A race like the Ohio Derby for example offers a $500,000 purse. “That would give him more time,” Diodoro said.
Tough decision, but one most trainers will never be in the position to make.
Wade completed his own trifecta winning the ninth by a nostril aboard Two the Punch for trainer Jose Silva, Jr.
Total handle for Tuesday was $1,557,947. Racing resumes Wednesday at Canterbury Park at 5:00pm.
