Trainer Tim Padilla and owner Pete Mattson team up for three stakes victories Saturday
Jockey Alonso Quinonez had three mounts on Saturday at Canterbury Park. He made the most of it. The public bet the $100,000 Minnesota Oaks, one of four stakes races Saturday at Canterbury Park restricted to horses bred in Minnesota, as though Cupids Crush was a lock, making her the prohibitive 1 to 9 favorite. The public was mistaken. Quinonez aboard Thunders Rocknroll had something else in mind, breaking alertly from the gate and never getting headed, winning by nine lengths. Cupids Crush and Eduardo Gallardo tracked in second and attempted to draw alongside on the far turn of the 1 mile 70 yard race but Thunders Rocknroll kicked away when asked by the rider. She paid $15.80 to win, providing Quinonez with the first of three stakes wins. Thunders Rocknroll was bred and is owned by Bob Lindgren. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Bernell Rhone.
The next three stakes belonged to trainer Tim Padilla and owner Pete Mattson as She’s My Warrior won the $65,000 Glitter Star Stakes with Quinonez, Thealligatorhunter with Constantino Roman won the $65,000 Wally’s Choice, and Roses by Liam won the $100,000 Minnesota Derby with Quinonez. Each winner was trained by Padilla. He co-owns She’s My Warrior and Thealligatorhunter with Mattson while Mattson owns the Derby winner outright.
Quinonez and She’s My Warrior went gate to wire in the Glitter Star while being challenged throughout by It’s Her Time who raced just off her hip. At the eighth pole Quinonez took control, going
on to win by a length. She’s My Warrior paid $13.60.
“We got two beautiful trips,” Quinonez said of the Oaks and Glitter Star efforts. “Both of my fillies run pretty much the same style. I was just able to save horse and come home.”
Thealligatorhunter successfully defended his Wally’s Choice Stakes title fending off a late charge by favorite Xavey Dave to win by a neck. Thealligatorhunter, who paid $6.00 to win, raced in front for the entire 1 1/16 miles.
“[Xavey Dave] has beaten us twice. The last two times. So I was plenty worried about him closing,” Mattson said.
A speed duel between Jose Patio and favorite Sir Sterling set up the Minnesota Derby victory for Roses by Liam who tracked the pace under a patient Quinonez. As the frontrunners tired, Roses by Liam kicked on, drawing away to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Jose Patio in 1:42.53 for 1 mile 70 yards.It’s Bobs Business finished third.
The eight-race card handled $1,163,643. Racing resumes Sunday at 1:00 p.m. CT.
