SHAKOPEE, MN – A bit of news and notes coming out of Canterbury Park this week.
Thursday night will kick off with five quarter horse trials. The first daily double will be trials for the $35,000 (estimated) Canterbury Park Quarter Horse Derby and races three, four and five will be for the $55,000 (estimated) Northlands Futurity.
The Derby trials feature the Haley Hobbs trained L Conejo, who has already captured the North Star Derby and just missed in the Bob Morehouse. The 400 yards should be right in his wheelhouse where he is a neck away from being unbeaten and retains regular rider Fernando Fonseca-Soto.
In the 350-yard Northlands trials, another Haley Hobbs gelding, Ding Dand Dulce, also with Fonseca-Soto aboard, is already graded stakes placed in Oklahoma with a second in the Laico Bird (RG-3) and a third in Easy Jet (RG-3) at Remington. He crossed the wire first in a Prairie Meadows allowance last out but was disqualified and placed 5th.
Saturday is Made in Minnesota Day featuring the $75,000 Minnesota Oaks and Minnesota Derby along with the $30,000 Wally’s Choice and Glitter Star Allowances. 2024 Northern Lights Debutante winner Where’s Marilyn will see if she can assert herself as a three year old.
Northern Lights Futurity winner Able Seaman returns to Minnesota after running at Oaklawn Park and Prairie Meadows to start the 2025 season. Late blooming but early running Arjun for Karz and speedster Sushi Man, who crushed over the turf last out in the Canterbury Derby, will have plenty to say about the outcome.
Canterbury Park Hall of Fame trainer Mac Robertson is recovering after major surgery a few weeks ago. According to friends, Roberston is in for a long recovery, but he is doing very well, and a full recovery is expected.
The Minnesota Horse Sale is scheduled for August 24 at 5 PM (after live racing) and features 33 horses, 31 Minnesota breds, 1 Iowa bred and 1 Indiana bred. You can find the catalogue here: https://www.canterburypark.com/horse-sale-2025/
