Overheard Last Night at The Local
“You don’t forget how to win The Derby” in reference to The Coach D. Wayne Lukas’ chances come the first Saturday in May. Not exactly sure how many pints had been downed at that point but the notion does make some sense. The pressing question for this week is: Do you forget how to win The […]
Record Crowd of 17,053 Enjoys 2012 Festival
The Festival of Champions began 20 years ago as a rebuke to track management at the time, as a demonstration by horsemen that the Ladbroke Corp.’s marketing strategies and ideas about live racing were wrong. They’ve been proving that nearly every year of live racing since, often most notably on Festival day, but never quite […]
Canterbury Jockeys Make Plans
Some of the trailers are lined up like sentries on the backside, ready to receive their cargo when the meet officially closes on Monday. They have been swept out and lined with fresh straw in anticipation of the awaiting trip, to farms where their cargo will be turned out or to other racetracks where they […]
One Mystery Solved?
Maybe, just maybe, a five-year struggle came to an end for Derek Bell on Thursday, and he can resume his life on the racing circuit. Bell has been conducting an unending battle since being ruled off the track at Tampa Bay Downs along with several other riders in January of 2007 for undisclosed charges. Those […]
The Turf Chute Makes Its Debut
Not many in the sizable crowd of over 7,000 Thursday realized they were witnessing a small bit of Canterbury Park history, a footnote perhaps to much more that has happened since racing debuted in 1985, yet something to remember nonetheless. No one said one day they will bounce a grandchild on a knee and recall […]
Oaks and Derby Showcase Superstars
The horses who won these races in years past are part of a pantheon of Minnesota colts and fillies whose names still resonate with the state’s long-time racing fans. Among the fillies there was Princess Elaine, Northbound Pride, Argenti and Glitter Star, the latter of which will join the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame on […]
Heliskier Headlines $65,000 Minnesota Derby
Heliskier, an undefeated Minnesota-bred 3-year-old gelding, headlines the $65,000 Minnesota Derby Saturday at Canterbury Park. Named Canterbury’s Champion Two-Year-Old in 2011, Heliskier won the $55,000 Northern Lights Futurity last year and this summer has dominated in all three starts including the $50,000 Victor S. Myers Stakes and the $35,000 MTA Stallion Laddie (video below). [youtube […]
Canterbury Covered in Pink
The color of choice on Saturday was pink, and anywhere one cared to look the color was represented in various shades. The entire track was in the pink, in fact, from the gate to the gate crew, the valets and most of the employees were in pink tee-shirts, pink hats, pink ties. Some of the outriders […]
Family Ties Sustain Bell
Two of the most visible youngsters at Canterbury Park this summer have been the daughters of riders Derek Bell and Adolfo Morales. Hailey Bell, 9, and Ximena Morales, 11, have been joined at the hip for much of the meet. They often appear in tandem in front of the jockeys’ lounge, departing after receiving their […]
Heliskier Does it Again… Just as Impressively
There are numerous sorts of intoxicating, maybe even medicinal qualities attached to the phenomenon of winning. For Marlene Colvin, it might have meant a good night’s sleep Sunday night. For Cam Casby, it might have provided the perfect remedy for the summer cold she’s battling. Clearly, winning as he did polished the already shiny image […]
