Claiborne Farm bred/Lothenbach owned Nun the Less takes the 2015 Mystic Lake Derby under Florent Geroux. Trained by Chris Block.
SHAKOPEE, MN – Canterbury Park released their 2016 stakes schedule and the 25 stakess will carry a record $1.885 million in purses.
The crown jewel of the Canterbury meet, the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby to be run on August 28, achieved a “listed” designation this year from the American Graded Stakes Committee. The Derby, for 3-year olds on the turf, has been elevated above a regular stakes race and just a step below Grade III status. The last time Canterbury Park hosted graded stakes were the Lady Canterbury and the Canterbury Cup Handicap in 1991. The St. Paul (later Minnesota) Derby and Canterbury Oaks also were graded stakes run at the Shakopee oval.
“We are pleased to offer a record stakes schedule for both Minnesota-bred and open runners at Canterbury Park in the upcoming season,” Director of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman said. “The upgrade of the Mystic Lake Derby to Listed status is another step in what has been the continued improvement in the quality of horse racing in the state of Minnesota.
The 23rd Minnesota Festival of Champions Day will be held on Sunday, August 21. The six Minnesota bred restricted stakes that day will carry $410,000 in purse money. Three weeks prior, the Minnesota Derby and Minnesota Oaks on will have record purses of $85,000 each. Both races are restricted to horses foaled in Minnesota in 2013.
Six additional overnight stakes will also be run throughout the meet with purses totaling $240,000. The 69-day live racing season begins May 20 and runs through Sept. 17.
May 20, 2016 (OPENING DAY) – 10,000 Lakes Stakes 3 & up c/g s 6 Furlongs $60,000
May 21, 2016 – Lady Slipper Stakes 3 & up f/m s 6 Furlongs $60,000
May 30, 2016 – Honor The Hero Stakes 3 & up 5T Furlongs $75,000
June 11, 2016 – Northbound Pride Oaks 3yo f 8T Furlongs $75,000
June 11, 2016 – Dark Star Cup 3 & up 6.5 Furlongs $75,000
June 19, 2016 – Lady Canterbury Stakes 3 & up f/m 8T Furlongs $100,000
June 19, 2016 – Mystic Lake Mile 3 & up 8T Furlongs $100,000
July 3, 2016 – Princess Elaine Stakes 3 & up f/m s 8.5T Furlongs $60,000
July 3, 2016 – Blair’s Cove Stakes 3 & up c/g s 8.5T Furlongs $60,000
July 4, 2016 – Frances Genter Stakes 3yo f s 6 Furlongs $60,000
July 4, 2016 – Victor S. Myers Stakes 3yo c/g s 6 Furlongs $60,000
July 30, 2016 – Minnesota Oaks 3yo f s 1 Mile 70 $85,000
July 30, 2016 – Minnesota Derby 3yo c/g s 1 Mile 70 $85,000
July 30, 2016 – MTA Sales Graduate Stakes Eligible 2yo 5 Furlongs $40,000
August 21, 2016 (FESTIVAL DAY) –Northern Lights Futurity 2yo c/g s 6 Furlongs $85,000
August 21, 2016 –Northern Lights Debutante 2yo f s 6 Furlongs $85,000
August 21, 2016 – Bella Notte Minnesota Distaff Sprint 3 & up f/m s 6 Furlongs $60,000
August 21, 2016 – Crocrock Minnesota Sprint 3 & up s 6 Furlongs $60,000
August 21, 2016 – Glitter Star Minnesota Distaff Classic 3 & up f/m s 8.5 Furlongs $60,000
August 21, 2016 – Wally’s Choice Minnesota Classic 3 & up s 8.5 Furlongs $60,000
August 28, 2016 – HBPA Distaff 3 & up f/m 8T Furlongs $75,000
August 28, 2016 – Brooks Fields Stakes 3 & up 8T Furlongs $75,000
August 28, 2016 – Mystic Lake Derby 3yo c/g 8T Furlongs $200,000
September 5, 2016 – MTA Stallion Auction Stakes Eligible 3yo 6.5 Furlongs $55,000
I could see three corrections made to the eligibility criteria for the stakes listed above:
The Mystic Lake Derby is open to all three year olds, including fillies, so deleting the “c/g” above seems appropriate.
Both the Crockrock Minnesota Sprint and the Wallys Choice Minnesota Classic are restricted to males, so adding “c/g” to both seems appropriate.