Three trials were held Tuesday for the $45,075 Gopher State Derby with 21 three-year-olds vying for 10 berths in the lucrative final. Tipsy Girl B recorded the fastest time of 19.797 seconds. Ridden by Berkley Packer, the filly was one of four qualifiers from the Jason Olmstead barn. Last year Clinton Crawford qualified five, winning the 2019 edition of the 400 yard race with Veuve Cliquet. This year Crawford started five and qualified two. Bob Johnson will have two of the 10 starters, and Cory Rumsey and John Hammes one each, in the Gopher State Derby final on July 7, one of six quarter horse stakes held that evening.
Nominations to four state-bred stakes to be run July 1, each with a $50,000 purse, closed Monday: the Frances Genter for 3-year-old fillies and the Victor S. Myers for 3-year-old boys at six furlongs, plus two 7½ furlong turf affairs, the Minnesota Turf Distaff and Ralph Strangis Memorial. Find the noms and corresponding past performances right here.
Racing continues Wednesday at 4:40 p.m. The pick six jackpot pool, a 20 cent base bet, is $4765 and begins with race 3.
