SHAKOPEE, MN – Stakes season in Shakopee arrives this evening with the annual renewal of state bred restricted dirt sprints, the 10,000 Lakes and the Lady Slipper.

There is little doubt of the favorite in the Lady Slipper for state bred fillies ad mares. The Bob Lindgren homebred, Thunders Rocknroll, comes in as the 3/5 morning line favorite in her local debut after a 2025 season where she had five Canterbury starts and won the last three before heading to Remington where she had a line of 3-1-1-1. She has won a total of $428,137 in her career, putting her in the upper echelon of Minnesota bred mares in history.

In last year’s edition she was worn down in the stretch late by Retired Kathy but there are no Retired Kathys in this year’s race.  While Lover Girl will try and come after her late and Ann Alee will try and capture her turf form over the main track, it is hard to see a scenario where Thunders Rocknroll doesn’t come away with a win.

The 10,000 Lakes looks to be a more competitive affair with defending champion, the Pete Mattson/Tim Padilla homebred, Thealligatorhunter, Minnesota Sprint champion Distorted Pro and morning line favorite, Street Warrior, are all top contenders in the seven-horse field.

The Canterbury press office has noted that Thealligatorhunter has run 29 times at his home track. He sits fourth on the all-time money earners list at Canterbury with $467,154. His total career earnings are $544,695 from 46 starts.

Street Warrior, bred and owned by Suzanne Stables, has won more than half his starts and whose lowest Beyer Speed Figure from last season (80) would put him in contention tonight.  His frontrunning style is likely to be challenged by Haunted Haze, a shrewd claim by Martin Escobar in 2024 out of his maiden winning effort, though the 6-year-old son of Ghostzapper may not be able to stay with the Warrior for the full six furlongs.

A dual up front would be just what Thealligatorhunter and Distorted Pro would like to see with Distorted Pro likely to be laying close while the Gator should be coming hard late in the better betting race of the two stakes.

Post time is 5 PM on what is going to be a warm, beautiful Belmont Stakes Day in Shakopee.