Minnesota’s best 3-year-old thoroughbreds will be featured on Saturday at Canterbury Park in the $60,000 Minnesota Oaks and Minnesota Derby. An annual staple of the Minnesota thoroughbred racing scene, the Minnesota Oaks and Minnesota Derby date back to before the days of pari-mutuel wagering in the state.
The $60,000 Minnesota Derby is a wide open affair featuring nine Minnesota-bred colts and geldings. Samendra, owned by Kathy & Deon Kissoon of Prior Lake, MN is the morning-line favorite. Victory Sled enters the race following a victory in the Victor S. Myers Stakes earlier in the year. Black Tie Benny, winner of last year’s $55,000 Northern Lights Futurity, will make his second start of the racing season in the Derby.
Polar Plunge, 7/5 on the morning line, will be the prohibitive favorite in the $60,000 Minnesota Oaks. Bred and owned by Camelia Casby of Shakopee, MN, Polar Plunge is undefeated in three lifetime starts. Eight rivals will enter the starting gate in hopes of unseating the favorite. Grace of Greatness is most likely to defeat Polar Plunge, she is owned by Jerry & Marlene Myers of Maple Grove, MN.
Canterbury Park will also host its first Food Truck Festival this Saturday. Presented by Metro Magazine, the Food Truck Festival will feature the best food trucks from the Minneapolis – St. Paul area. Racing begins at 1:30pm on Saturday, gates and the Food Truck Festival will open at noon. Admission to racing and the Food Truck Festival is $5. Admission for children under 18 and parking are both free. For more information, call (952) 445-7223 or visit www.canterburypark.com.
See race analysis HERE.
