Owner/Breeder Mattson Sweeps Canterbury Stakes

Minnesota

SHAKOPEE, MN – It was quite an afternoon for owner/breeder Pete Mattson. Mattson’s home breds took both Minnesota bred sprint stakes this afternoon at Canterbury Park. Neither were favored but both won at 9/2 for their backers.

Thealligatorhunter with Constantino Roman (Photo: Coady Media)

10,000 Lakes

Defending champion Sir Sterling broke in a tangle and Thealligatorhunter broke sharp as a tack for Constantino Roman and never looked back, wiring the field in the six-furlong, $50,000 10,000 Lakes Stakes at Canterbury Park in 1:10.32

With a pair of entries in the stake, co-owner/breeder Pete Mattson was on edge as the field loaded.

“It’s twice as nerve wracking,” Mattson laughed. “We were hoping for a dead heat.”

“This horse really likes to win,” said trainer and co-owner/breeder Tim Padilla.

“He has a lot of heart,” added Mattson. “He really earned it.”

Thealligatorhunter paid $9.40 to win, clearing the field by 3 ¼ lenghths at the wire.  Second went to Distorted Pro ($4.20) and Mattson and Padilla’s other charge, Doctor Oscar, the favorite in the race, finished third.

With this win, the seven-year-old moved to $502,625 in career earnings with a career line 38 starts: 15 wins, 5 seconds and 7 thirds.

Retired Kathy with Chad Lindsay (Photo: Coady Media)

Lady Slipper

Thunders Rocknroll and Carson Bay flew through a sub 22 second quarter and tried to play “catch me if you can” which set the table nicely for router Retired Kathy.

“There was really no place to run her early in the meet,” said trainer David Van Winkle. “We figured, if nothing else, it would be a good prep for a longer stake.”

Jockey Chad Lindsay bided his time on Retired Kathy and let her loose in the lane where stormed past a tiring Thunders Rocknroll who gamely held on for second.

“She is such a good horse,” said Lindsay. “Wait until she gets on the turf and goes a mile.”

The 2024 Minnesota Oaks winner Retired Kathy is five for eleven on the turf with a pair of seconds and a third both here and at Tampa Bay Downs.

The winner paid $9.40 to win with Thunders Rocknroll ($6.00) second and O’Babe ($6.00). Odds on favorite Xtreme Diva finished fourth.

She covered the six furlongs in 1:10.60.