Heliskier Headlines $65,000 Minnesota Derby

Heliskier, an undefeated Minnesota-bred 3-year-old gelding, headlines the $65,000 Minnesota Derby Saturday at Canterbury Park. Named Canterbury’s Champion Two-Year-Old in 2011, Heliskier won the $55,000 Northern Lights Futurity last year and this summer has dominated in all three starts including the $50,000 Victor S. Myers Stakes and the $35,000 MTA Stallion Laddie (video below).

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eZ6RJ8mibc?rel=0]

In his five-race career, Heliskier has earned nearly $109,000 for owner Marlene Colvin of Ethan, SD. He has been untouchable this season, winning a June 10 allowance sprint by 10 and ½ lengths, the Myers by four lengths and the Laddie by six. In each of his last two starts he has been the prohibitive favorite, paying the minimum $2.10 for a $2 win wager.

The one mile and seventy yard Minnesota Derby will be the first time this son of Appealing Skier will be asked to cover a route of ground. The 6 and ½ furlong Myers is the furthest Heliskier has traveled previously. He is trained by Mac Robertson and will be ridden by Derek Bell who was also aboard in the five prior wins. Heliskier is the 3 to 5 morning line favorite in the Minnesota Derby field of nine.

The $65,000 Minnesota Oaks will also be contested on Saturday and features nine fillies including 2011 Northern Lights Debutante winner Keewatin Ice and 2012 Frances Genter Stakes winner Happy Hour Honey.

Saturday’s 10-race program begins at 1:30 pm. The Minnesota Derby is carded as race 7 while the co-featured Oaks is race 6.

Full field for the Minnesota Derby:

Saturday, August 11 – Race 7 – Post Time 4:23 p.m. CDT