The Colt & Gelding Division of Canterbury’s 2012 Claiming Series got underway last night with the first of three qualifying races (the next two are scheduled for July 5 and July 19). Patriate and jockey Patricia Trimble snuck away on a lonely lead and were just able to hold on over a hard charging French Moon who had to settle for second.
Through the first race for colts and geldings, here’s a breakdown of the leading male point earners in the 2012 Claiming Series:
Patriate- 8 Points
French Moon – 7 Points
Flaming Glory – 6 Points
Vinny V.- 5 Points
Forener – 4 Points
Local Big Shot – 3 Points
Perfect Saturday- 2 Points
Afleet Indy- 1 Point
The top 12 point earners will qualify for a $25,000 Championship Race which will be held for Colts and Geldings on August 9.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDrm3DbI81Q?rel=0]
There was only one claim dropped in the race and that was on the only Minnesota-bred to race in the series thus far, Local Big Shot. P.C. Fauchald made the claim for Jeanette Fauchald. Obviously they must fancy the watch (provided by Continental Diamond) valued at $2,500 that goes to the owner of the leading Minnesota-bred at the end of the series.
Fillies and Mares get their second chance to earn points next Thursday. Entries will be taken tomorrow.
Look for many of these colts and geldings to run back two weeks from yesterday on Thursday, July 5 as they will continue to try to earn points to qualify for the August 9 Championship.
For more information on the Canterbury Claiming Series, and for complete standings, check out the Canterbury Park webpage.
The 2012 Canterbury Claiming Series is sponsored by Continental Diamond.
This blog was written by Canterbury Park’s Live Racing and Digital Media Coordinator Andrew Offerman. Offerman has served in this role since returning to Minnesota in 2010 after earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.
