SHAKOPEE, MN – Nun the Less, a 3-year old son of Candy Ride bred by Claiborne Farm and owned by Lothenbach Stables, reverted to the off the pace style of his 2-year old season under Florent Geroux to take the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury Park Saturday.

“I just wanted to see how the race developed and go from there,” said Geroux.  “He’s won over all surfaces and different distances, but a flat mile on the turf may be his best spot.”

As it developed, stablemate Flashy Jewel, the Manitoba Derby winner, shadowed long shot Shrewd Move through the first half of the race while Geroux was content to sit well off the early pace.

After taking the field through 3/4 in 1:10.38, the two front runners packed it in and 5-1 Gallery grabbed the lead momentarily as they entered the lane.  Favored Syntax, getting a ground saving trip under Christopher DeCarlo, cut the turn smartly and wrested the lead from Gallery.

Geroux, however, timed his ride perfectly and swept past them both to take the Mystic Lake in 1:34.82 by a length.

Trained by Chris Block, fourth choice Nun the Less returned $10.80 for the win.  Gallery held on for second ($6.00) and favored Syntax settled for third ($2.60).

“This way exceeded my expectations,” said winning owner Bob Lothenbach of Eden Prairie, MN said. “I really expected to finish fourth. The pace set up perfectly for us.”

With his victory in the Mystic Lake, Nun the Less ran his career record to four wins in nine starts with earnings of $249,092.

MYSTIC LAKE DERBY (1:34.82)

Nun the Less               10.80        5.60        3.40

Gallery                                            6.00        3.60

Syntax                                                             2.40