SHAKOPEE, MN – Three-year-old Minnesota breds competed in the postponed $50,000 Vic Myers and Frances Genter Stakes at Canterbury Park on Sunday. Originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, July 26, the racing card was cancelled due to excessively high temperatures.
In the Vic Myers, a traditional prep for the $75,000 Minnesota Derby, How Bout That Curt ($2.40), stalked the early leaders and powered to the lead at the top of the stretch to win the six-furlong race by 3 lengths. Curt, named in honor of the late founder and chairman of the board of Canterbury Park Curtis Sampson, will likely be the early favorite for the Minnesota Derby.
Navarre ($2.60) made a steady closing move indicating that the additional distance of the Derby (one mile and 70 yards) should suite him well and hinting at a more competitive race than the Myers.
Early leader That Type of Deal ($2.60) had enough left in the tank for third.
The winner is owned by Sampson Racing Stable and bred, is trained by Tony Rengstorf and was ridden to victory by Constantino Roman. He completed the six furlongs in 1:11.45.
Rengstorf said that the week’s delay didn’t really affect his horse but that the redraw made him feel better about the race given his move to an outside post position.
“I liked the second draw much better,” he said. “In a shorter field it’s better for sure. We really didn’t want to be out front, we wanted to sit right where we were so it worked out really well.”
In looking forward to the Derby, Rengstorf said that his pedigree will make him a tough router.
“I guess we’ll see in thirteen days,” he smiled.
The Frances Genter was hurt by a couple of defections from the original draw and a scratch, leaving a four-filly field to contest the six furlongs.
Summer Winner, the 3/5 favorite under Alonzo Quinonez, shot out of the gate and seized the lead early but was challenged at the half mile mark by Heavenly Captive and Manuel Americano. After battling through the turn, Heavenly Captive ($14.80) put away the favorite and romped to a 2 ½ length win with Summer Winner ($2.10) holding on for second. Flatter Me Billy was third. There was no show wagering on the race.
Heavenly Captive, trained by Mac Robertson and owned by John Mentz, was bred by Kevin Conrad and stopped the timer at 1:11.66 under leading rider Manny Americano.
“I thought that Summer Winner was going to be really tough to beat,” said winning owner John Mentz. “We hung in close, a good second, let her get out there and Heavenly Captive just ran her race.”
“The plan all along was to get her in the Genter, hopefully she runs well here and then get her in to the Oaks,” he continued, “Who knows in the Minnesota Oaks?”
The Minnesota Derby and Oaks will be held on August 15 along with the Wally’s Choice and Glitter Star Allowances as the Championship Meet continues.
