Mr. Jagermeister regained the luster of his 2018 season where he won four races at Canterbury Park and was named Horse of the Meet, by drawing off to win by 2 ¾ lengths Thursday at Oaklawn Park in a $92,000 allowance sprint. The Minnesota bred stopped the clock in 1:09.56 for six furlongs. And the faithful got paid with an $11.00 mutuel.
“I’m very happy that he ran his race,” trainer Valorie Lund said. “He was impressive. I could not be any happier. I’m relieved after being so disappointed in his last race until we found out what went wrong.”
That last race took place at Turf Paradise on March 19 where the colt was the prohibitive favorite, showed speed, but faded in the stretch. Lund later reported that after scoping Mr. Jagermeister an excuse was found, mucus, which prevented his best effort.
His bullet workout over the Hot Springs surface last week was an indication that he was back on track. Lund was not shy about declaring that her horse was ready for a big effort.
Mr. Jagermeister rewarded that confidence. Leandro Goncalves, who likewise remained a true believer, made the trip from Will Rogers Downs over the hill to Oaklawn to ride. “Leandro had to get him to settle a bit,” Lund said. “He rode a very good race.”
So what is next for Mr. Jagermeister?
“I really don’t know,” Lund said. “I have to sit down and look at what I do next. He might run in the 10,000 Lakes. It’s home.” That $50,000 race, at six furlongs and restricted to Minnesota breds, is May 18 at Canterbury Park and also allows Lund time to “figure out a summer plan.”
She has a horse or two to saddle yet at Oaklawn and then will head north with Mr. Jagermeister to join the rest of her stable which has been arriving this week from Phoenix, and settle into the routine in Shakopee. And make plans for this very talented colt.
