Shipper, Local Split Turf Stakes at Canterbury Park

Canterbury Park, Minnesota, , , , ,

SHAKOPEE, MN – The pair of turf stakes prior to the Mystic Lake Derby, the Minnesota HBPA Distaff and the Brooks Fields, both featured some talented shippers along with some of the best local talent on the grounds at Canterbury Park.  The tally after the pair of $75,000 mile stakes: one for the shippers and one for the home team.

In the Distaff, locally owned and based Calypso Run went off as the 9/5 favorite and vaulted to the front early, but it was a sweet ride by Francisco Torres that led Prado’s Sweet Ride ($7.40) to a half length win.  The Chicago import tracked the early pacesetter, took control midway and held off the hard charging, first on the turf, Meshell ($8.80) late.

“It was just a dream trip,” said Torres.  “I was very comfortable where I was with that pace and when I asked her, she went.”

America Mon Amie, 3rd in the Lady Canterbury earlier this year and winner of last year’s Northbound Pride Oaks at Canterbury, was third ($4.40).

Graded stakes winner Prado’s Sweet Ride covered the mile in 1:38.43.

Majestic Pride, under a very savvy trip by Dean Butler, takes the Brooks Fields Saturday at Canterbury.
Majestic Pride, under a very savvy trip by Dean Butler, takes the Brooks Fields Saturday at Canterbury.

Next it was the home team’s turn to shine as Canterbury’s leading trainer Mac Robertson and jockey Dean Butler teamed up to bring home Majestic Pride ($8.00) in the Brooks Fields.

Butler took advantage of Majestic Pride’s front running style to take the lead early and controlled the race throughout.

“He was a little pressured down the backside,” said Robertson, “but they weren’t going too fast.”

“We broke well and he has good speed,” said Butler.  “I got him settled and just watched his ears.  He was doing it comfortably and I got a breather through the turn and that helped a lot.”

Butler rationed Majestic Pride throughout the race and was able to hold off odds on favorite Go Around ($2.40) to win by a neck.  2015 Mystic Lake Derby winner Nun the Less was third.

Line Judge and Orlando Mojica in the winners' circle after taking the Careless Navigator Stakes.
Line Judge and Orlando Mojica in the winners’ circle after taking the Careless Navigator Stakes.

The final stake of the night was the $40,000 Careless Navigator Stakes, won by Line Judge ($3.80) under Orlando Mojica, his second stakes win on the card having won the Mystic Lake Derby earlier.  Even Thunder was 6 1/2 lengths back in second after completely missing the break while Warrior’s Kid ($2.20) was third.  Line Judge, owned by Joni and Barry Butzow and trained by Joe Sharp, covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.34.

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