Dorsett in Del Mar Derby
Dorsett, winner of the 2013 Mystic Lake Derby, is 6-1 in the second division of the Grade II Del Mar Derby to be held today at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California. Trained by Michael Stidham and owned by Terry Hamilton, Dorsett, 6-1 on the morning line, will be ridden by perennial top California rider […]
Hernandez Giving Shakopee a Try
Israel Hernandez had dismounted, the grooms had taken his horse and he was headed through the winner’s circle on his way to the jockeys lounge when he was spotted by a young bystander. “He looks like a real jockey,” the youngster said, emphasizing ‘real.’ Apparently Hernandez fit the perfect stereotype for this future horseplayer. Not […]
Race of the Week: Mystic Lake Derby
The second edition of the Mystic Lake Derby is fairly similar to the first, with connections hailing from all corners for this $200,000 purse at a mile on turf. Last year’s winning owner, Terry Hamilton, is back with the favorite in this year’s running in Dorsett, recently Grade 3 placed in the Arlington Classic. To […]
Mystic Lake Derby Day Nears
Go ahead and pick up the champagne, dig out the attire you wore last year for the race, careful to assure everything is the same, not a single accoutrement out-of-place, cross your fingers and don’t say anything that might be construed as a jinx. “My dad’s superstitious,” said Lori Keith. “It will have to be […]
Mystic Lake Mile Preview
Part of the ongoing story of any racetrack are its historic races, often named in commemoration of founding fathers, famous horses or grand contributors to the game. Many of those races have storied pasts and memorable results. Such is the legacy of the $100,000 Lady Canterbury, first run in 1986 and twice later as a […]
What’s on Tap for July 3rd
Canterbury’s July 3rd card may be the best of the season to date. The eleven races are comprised of three stakes and 107 entries (3 of which are on the also-eligible list) including two state-bred turf stakes, the $50k Blairs Cove and the $50k Princess Elaine. In the Blairs Cove, a one mile and one […]
Buck Night is Back
Buck hot dogs, soft drinks, admission and programs returned Thursday night and so, too, did good weather and the fans. For that matter, so did a horse named Supreme Ghost. The first buck night of the meet by almost any measuring stick was a rousing success. Let’s start with the turnout. A crowd of 7,196 […]
Like Father, Like Son
If Brandon Meier wins the Kentucky Derby some day or, say, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, there is another lesser race that will command an adjacent spot in his memory. Riding with the bug in 2008, he was on a horse making the turn for home and came off the fence just enough to let the […]
An International Track Man
Occasionally, Javier Barajas would spot something, stop his pickup truck, step onto the track and retrieve an item only his well-trained eyes could see. “It’s amazing,” Barajas said. “I’m really blind as a bat.” Barajas, Canterbury Park’s new track superintendent, has the eyes of a predatory bird in situations like this, however, or maybe it’s the […]
Road to Kentucky & A Trip (Not that Far) South
The Road to Kentucky passed through Fair Grounds last week. There was plenty of chalk for sure but two winners jumped up at huge prices. Race 2 featured a $99 winner and the double-point Risen Star saw the 135 to 1 Ive Struck a Nerve get up by a nose…. a cap horse worth 2400 points. […]
