Thoughtless, Shrewd Move Take Derby Day Stakes at Canterbury

Shrewd Move (Nik Goodwin up) upsets in the Paul Bunyan

SHAKOPEE, MN – A pair of $50,000 dashes highlighted the Derby Day card at Canterbury Park on Saturday.

Thoughtless, owned by Hugh Robertson and Barry Butzow, did not disappoint as the favorite, powering to a 3 1/4 length victory in the 5 1/2 furlong L’Etoile du Nord stakes.  Ridden by Alex Canchari and the lone entry opening weekend of leading trainer Mac Robertson, the 4-year old filly stalked the early pace until Canchari angled her wide and took charge through the lane.

Thoughtless (Alex Canchari up) storms to win in the L’Etoile du Nord

“From the quarter pole on she really went,” said Canchari.

Canchari prior to entering the Winners’ Circle aboard Thoughtless letting you know where they finished

As the favorite, Thoughtless returned $4.40 to her backers.  Teefla was second ($5.20) and DRC’s Pretty Sky ($2.20) was third.  Thoughtless covered the distance in 1:03.72.

Long shot Shrewd Move upended the tote board in the Paul Bunyan stakes.  The longest shot on the board gave Nik Goodwin his first of back to back riding wins on the day, finding room on the rail to bring the longest shot on the board home in 1:03.25.

Nik Goodwin with the Most Dangerous Trophy in Racing – the Paul Bunyan Axe.

“I was tracking behind the speed,” said Goodwin, “and I waited.  When I saw the opening I had to go for it and he really went.  I knew if I didn’t make the move then that they would start to close down on me.”

Shrewd Move, owned by Yeamans Racing Stable and trained by Dan McFarlane, paid $34.40 to win. Wings Locked up ($4.40) was 3/4 a length back with Helooksthepart ($4.00) rounded out the trifecta.