Race Meet Comes To A Close
By JIM WELLS It’s like bidding good-bye to classmates on the last day of school or saying sayonara to the guys at the end of, oh, the football season. Another race meet came to an end on Saturday, the 69th and final day of racing when Sweet Stuff crossed the finish line at 7:12 p.m., […]
Showdown on Tap for Training Title
BY JIM WELLS Top this if you can. Robertino Diordoro, trailing Mac Robertson by three wins for the trainer’s title, saddled five winners Friday night and has a 55-54 advantage heading into the final day of racing. Robertson, meanwhile, saddled one winner on the card to set up what promises to be a shootout for […]
Nolan Cheers On Vikes In Opener
BY JIM WELLS Sunday arrived with an immediate question _ which jersey for the Minnesota Vikings season opener: Brad Johnson, Jared Allen or Adrian Peterson ? As it turned out, No. 14, the Johnson pullover, seemed right. The choice of ball cap was simple, ….plain, with the Vikings logo on the front. Paul Nolan, former […]
The Horseplayer
Jay Lietzau has a passion for playing the horses. He’s been doing so since the ’80s. A week ago Lietzau used his skill and knowledge of local racing to find success on Canterbury’s biggest weekend of handicapping contests. He participated in the Ultimate NHC Qualifier handicapping contest via an entry he won in an August […]
Canterbury Park Live Racing Season Concludes Friday and Saturday
Purses and handle reach record numbers Canterbury Park’s 2018 live racing season concludes with 13 races Friday and 14 on Saturday. In all, 318 horses have been entered for the final two days where more than $660,000 in purses will be awarded, bringing total purse disbursement during the 70-day season to record heights of more […]
2018: A Look Back before The Final Weekend
By Noah Joseph Well, it’s that time of the year again. Summer is coming to an end. There’s a chill in the air, the sun is setting earlier, and nature’s leaves begin to turn red and gold. Autumn is on its way, and with its arrival is the departure of live racing at Canterbury Park. […]
Trainer, Owner Races Nip and Tuck
BY JIM WELLS The autumnal atmosphere that settled over Shakopee on Saturday hinted at a variety of things immediately ahead, none more pressing to the riders and horsemen than closing day. There are travel plans to be completed, respites to be taken and, for some, immediate hookups with trainers and agents where needed after the […]
22nd Annual Dog Days Handicapping Contest & more….
The 22nd annual Dog Days of Summer Handicapping Tournament takes place this Saturday and Sunday. The event dates back to the 90s before handicapping contests were as popular as they have become today. Dog Days is perhaps the first, but most certainly the longest running, live bankroll contest in the country. In the early years, […]
Who’s The Best?
By Noah Joseph On Sunday, Mr. Jagermeister delivered possibly the best performance of the Minnesota Festival of Champions, winning the Wally’s Choice Minnesota Classic with ease. This capped a memorable season for the son of Atta Boy Roy, in which Mr. Jagermeister won four of five starts at Canterbury, and outside of Minnesota took on […]
A HORSEMAN IN MANY, MANY WAYS
by Jim Wells When you ask him a question, be prepared for an answer that is not black and white or yes or no, that is somewhat involved and complex yet easy to track nonetheless. Then again, portraying a lifetime in the horse business is not a simple task, and it might help to know […]