SHAKOPEE, MN – With the oppressive heat and humidity in the rear view mirror, Canterbury Park will present the Northern Stars Turf Festival this Saturday night. The re-drawn card features a trio of $50,000, one mile turf stakes which will be races 4, 7 & 8 on the card.
The first stake on the card will be the Brooks Fields Mile. The two favorites, Kennebec and Tonka Warrior have gone at it once already this season with Kennebec out-finishing his rival on June 1 in a $30,000 allowance optional claimer with Fausto DaSilva aboard the Jose Silva Jr. trainee.
Both contenders are well trained, well-suited to a mile and well mounted with leading rider Harry Hernandez aboard the Mac Robertson trained Tonka Warrior. Given the two favorites, is there anyone that might be able to upset the apple cart?
Fearless Soldier, who finished behind the top pair last out upset favorite Kennebec in the Hazelton at Turf Paradise earlier this season and did so in gate to wire fashion. Half Brother looks like he may also want to be on the engine and that may set things up for the late closing Saline River. Saline River and Kennebec have taken turns beating each other this season and the distance is perfect for him.
Minnesotan Sushi Man has been installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite in the Canterbury Derby. Sushi Man pulled it together in his first out over the turf last race and drew off to win by 7 1/4. Battling winners for the first time is a tough assignment and he should be on the lead with Harry Hernandez.
There will be company on the front end, though, with undefeated Homie and Canyon Streak looking to keep the pace honest. Should Constantino Roman be able to rate Canyon Streak off the speed, he may be able to get by late amongst a very competitive field.
Smoken Boy will be trying the turf for the first time if he makes the trip up after winning stakes in Puerto Rico and Indiana.
The stakes action winds up with the track’s signature race, the Lady Canterbury Stakes. The race will feature defending champion Thunders Rocknroll who took the field gate to wire as the odds-on favorite. The morning line favorite, Cupid’s Crush, has proven to do her best work on the front end, should be prominent early. She’ll have company, though, as Angelas Party Girl, is full of early speed and Thunders Rocknroll could be prominent early as well. Angelas Party Girl has been re-entered, however, and my be a scratch for the Lady Canterbury.
Another Minnesotan, Retired Kathy, took care of Thunders Rocknroll in the Lady Slipper dirt sprint a few weeks ago but has also won at routes, on the turf, on the front end and coming from off the pace. Her flexibility should give jockey Chad Lindsay plenty of options as the race develops.
In another instance of potential race flow, the race could perfectly set up for Tour Queen, if she’s ready for the race as she’s making her seasonal debut in the Lady Canterbury. She’s a classic miler and should be able to sit off the pace and get first run at the leaders as they turn for home.
The Northern Stars Turf Festival card begins at 5 PM CT.
