Sunday’s feature race is the $52,600 NCQHRA Futurity. The fastest qualifier from the trials held two weeks ago was Jjsir James.
The 2-year-old gelding is trained by Randy Weidner and was ridden by Justine Klaiber for owner Jerry Olson. In this video Randy talks about Jjsir James past, present and future.
Jockey Nik Goodwin has a mount in that futurity Sunday, but on Saturday will be at Mountaineer Park in New Cumberland, West Virginia to ride in the Grade 3 $750,000 West Virginia Derby aboard Heartwood for trainer James Chapman.
Last night the top two quarter horse trainers, Jason Olmstead and Ed Hardy, each won a race allowing Olmstead to maintain a five-win advantage over Hall of Famer Hardy. The jockey standings are much closer. Leader Oscar Delgado won the second race last night, answering Brayan Velazquez’ first race win. Delgado has a 14 to 13 edge. Goodwin is four from the leader. Owner Thomas Scheckel is atop the owner standings with seven wins, one more than Dean Frey and two more than Corey Wilmes. Expect to see many of the local quarter horses at the Prairie Meadows meet that begins Aug. 19.
Nationally acclaimed rock band the BoDeans will play two sets on the Mystic Lake Music Stage Saturday. The first is slated to begin at 4:15 and the second follows the races at 5:40.
Look for as news story featuring Nik Goodwin and Betty Williams on WCCO TV (channel 4 locally) Saturday at 6pm and again Sunday at 6am. [ Watch it here ]
There will be a Canterbury flavor to the $75,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday at Assiniboia Downs. Trainer Joel Berndt is sending Lothenbach Stables’ Diamondmaze, winner of his last two starts in Shakopee, to the Winnipeg racetrack. Jockey Quincy Hamilton will be there to ride. Robertino Diodoro has a pair entered. Canterbury Hall of Famer Scott Stevens will ride Tizfun for Diodoro, who last year won this race with Inside Straight for owner Randy Howg, who also owns Tizfun. Inside Straight went on to win a grade 2 at Oaklawn this winter. The entire Assiniboia card is simulcast at Canterbury on Monday.
