Tony Rengstorf has trained racehorses at Canterbury Park since 1990, winning multiple stakes races along the way. One race that has eluded the Minnesota native is the Minnesota Derby, the premiere 3-year-old race for state-breds conducted annually at the Shakopee racetrack.
Saturday evening he will saddle 4 to 5 morning line favorite How Bout That Curt for Sampson Racing Stables in the four-horse Minnesota Derby offering a $75,000 purse. The 3-year-old gelding
easily defeated the three foes 13 days ago in the Victor S. Myers Stakes. That was a six furlong sprint while the Derby will require the son of Mo Town to efficiently travel 1 mile 70 yards.
Rengstorf said after the Myers that the distance was not a concern. “I think it’s more about his mom,” Rengstorf said. “His mom was a better route horse. That’s what I’ve been telling [the Sampsons] all along.” Rengstorf would know about his dam Double Bee Sting as he trained her to a Minnesota Oaks win at a route distance for the late Curtis Sampson.
Since 1996, Rengstorf has had 13 entrants in the Minnesota Derby, finishing second three times.
How Bout That Curt breaks from post four while Navarre, second in the Myers, drew the rail for trainer Troy Bethke and owner Carin Offerman. Perfect Gamble is in post two for trainer Nik Goodwin and That Type Ofa Deal is in post three for trainer Joel Berndt who has trained the derby winner in two of the past four renditions.
That Type Ofa Deal found the front in the Myers before getting passed near the quarter pole and finishing third. Berndt said the gelding seemed to be a bit lost on the lead and might look for leading jockey Manuel Americano to work a tracking trip. Berndt removed the blinkers two races back and That Type Ofa Deal has earned improving speed figures since.
The Minnesota Derby will be the second race on Saturday’s eight-race program that begins at 5:10 p.m. The seventh race is the $75,000 Minnesota Oaks also at 1 mile 70 yards.
The Oaks attracted a field of seven 3-year-old fillies and appears to be very contentious. Heavenly Captive is the morning line favorite off an impressive win in the six-furlong Frances Genter. She is trained by leading trainer Mac Robertson for owner John Mentz. Americano has the return call. Robertson also trains Private Speaker, a daughter of Army Mule, who may relish the route distance.
Summer Winner, one of the most talented fillies at Canterbury Park in 2025, will route for the first time. She set the Genter pace early but was no match when challenged by Heavenly Captive. Post time for the Minnesota Oaks is set for 8:10 p.m.