BUTLER LEARNED FROM THE BEST
by Jim Wells It is called the graveyard of champions, but Saratoga Race Track is also the birthplace of hope, where a boy’s dream flashed across his mind in vivid technicolor on his numerous visits there as a youngster. His father sold programs there as a youngster himself, buying them for ten cents, selling them […]
Canterbury Park Hall of Fame to Add Four Members
The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame Committee today announced the Class of 2018 inductees. The four newest members, who will be honored in a Sept. 1 ceremony, include jockey Dean Butler; Minnesota HBPA President and racehorse owner and breeder Jack Walsh; quarter horse breeders Rodney and Sylvia Von Ohlen; and retired Minnesota-bred racehorse Heliskier. These […]
A Tale of Two Deans
By Noah Joseph Over the years, many jockeys who rode regularly at Canterbury became fan favorites and etched their names into history. Jockeys like Derek Bell, Paul Nolan, Scott Stevens, Ronnie Allen Jr., Donna Barton, and Chris Valovich all became Minnesota racing legends. However, two that really stand out were two jockeys with the same […]
Oracle’s All-Stars : Canterbury Park’s First-Half Review
By The Oracle Last week we passed the halfway point of the 70-day Canterbury Park live racing season. Here is a look inside-the-numbers- at what has transpired on the race track so far in 2018. The following statistics are for thoroughbred races only. The Odds: Favorites are winning 37% of the thoroughbred races at Canterbury […]
Hardboot Ships from California for Mystic Lake Derby
Trainer Michele Dollase has what she considers a pretty good California bred 3-year-old colt but nowhere to run him at home. That 3-year-old is Hardboot, winner of the $100,000 Silky Sullivan at Golden Gate Fields in April, and most recently second in the $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes, both restricted to state breds and both on […]
Belmont’s Size Makes It A Rider’s Race
BY JIM WELLS It is one-of-a-kind, the only racetrack in the United States with such vast dimensions, awe-inspiring if not intimidating to anyone who has not dealt with its sweeping turns and long straightaways. Its forbidding size can swallow a horse and rider whole if he’s not prepared, doesn’t calculate its differences and transfer them […]
Sunday News and Notes
Highlights After kicking off the 70-day live race meet at Canterbury Park on the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, it is only right that we take a look back on a successful start. -Canterbury is home to a very talented group of jockeys this season. Leading jockeys for this meet include: Ry Eikleberry with a […]
Backside news and Notes April 29, 2018
Horses are gradually filling the stalls on the Canterbury backside with the 70-day race meet just five days away. The May 4 opening night program will feature eight races, with entries for the first day taking place Tuesday. Saturday’s card has two $50,000 stakes races: The Paul Bunyan and the L’etoile du Nord. Nominations for […]
2017: A Look Back
By Noah Joseph Well, it’s that time of the year. Closing weekend is upon us. The 2017 season is almost in the rear-view mirror, and it was a wonderful season. Here’s a look at some of the great moments. For the fans, there was much to see, and parts of the summer had gone to […]
INJURED BUTLER COUNTS HIS BLESSINGS
BY JIM WELLS The person looking for it can often find it — the light at the end of the tunnel, the sun peeking through a clouded sky, hope in the midst of devastation, a reason to get up when the entire being cries out “stay down.” Dean Butler latched onto it seconds after hitting […]
