Eagles Span Takes NCQHRA Futurity at Canterbury

Eagles Span distancing himself from Expensive Paint Job - and the rest of the field - in the NCQHRA Futurity Sunday
Eagles Span distancing himself from Expensive Paint Job – and the rest of the field – in the NCQHRA Futurity Sunday

SHAKOPEE, MN – Trainer Jason Olmstead sent out a talented group of 2-year olds in the $42,000 North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity on Sunday at Canterbury Park.  In fact, he had 5 spots in the 7 horse field.  But nothing is guaranteed in racing and the favorite, Olmstead’s Eagles Span, proved that last out.

Eagles Span stumbled out of the gate in his last start and finished third. Rider Cody Smith was able to put that in perspective. “You can’t let those races affect how you think going into another race,’’ he said.

He and Eagles Span did not let it affect the finale.  Breaking sharply, Eagles Span started third was a head in front of stablemate Divas Candy Girl at the wire to take the 350 yard Futurity in 17.949.

There was a bit of doubt mid-race when Eagles Span bobbled a bit at a shadow, but Smith quickly adjusted and got the colt to wire on top.

“He would have won by even more but for that,’’ Smith said.

Eagles Span paid $4.80 for the win while Divas Candy Girl paid $9.80 to place.  Randy Weidner trainee Effortlessly Strut broke up the Olmstead trifecta, paying $3.20 to show.