Tag Archives: ostriches

PHOTO ESSAY: Extreme Day at Canterbury

Extreme Day crowd gathers on the apron for racing.
Extreme Day crowd gathers on the apron for racing.

A crowd of 18,746 packed Canterbury Park for the annual Extreme Day.  Unlike many tracks that run the obligatory ostriches, zebras and camels, Canterbury takes the day a bit further and has some fun with the condition book as well.

Trainer Chuck Turco won the “Duck Race”, for connections that have started but not yet won, though Turco did win earlier in the weekend after entries were drawn.

World Famous Sam T ($15.60) won the 2 furlong Spurt in the Dirt while Quarter Horse Divas Candy Girl ($27.40) took the 110 yard Dash in a Flash Stakes.  The polar opposite race, the mile and 3/8 grass starter optional claimer was taken by Woodmans Luck ($11.20).

The race with the most attention – wildlife aside – was the Battle of the Surfaces where a field of grass horses competed directly with a field of dirt horses at slightly varied distances to make up for surface and configuration.  The top two finishers were on the dirt, with Towpath ($39.40) topping the 18 horse field.

Battle of the Surfaces stretch run.
Battle of the Surfaces stretch run.
Michelle Benson dominates the camel race.
Michelle Benson dominates the camel race.
Hillary Camelton crossing the finish line in the camel race
Hillary Camelton crossing the finish line in the camel race with Trevino Clark aboard
Michelle Benson (R) and Justin Shephard (L) looking like they had little control over their ostriches as they got a little close for comfort.
Michelle Benson (L) and Justin Shepherd (R) looking like they had little control over their ostriches as they got a little close for comfort.
Newcomer Carlos Esquilin gets his first win at Canterbury in the ostrich race.
Newcomer Carlos Esquilin gets his first win at Canterbury in the ostrich race.
Chris Rosier was just fine after his bucking zebra finally got his way halfway through the race.
Chris Rosier was just fine after his bucking zebra finally got his way halfway through the race.
Outrider Tara Le Coombs dominated the zebra race.
Outrider Tara Le Coombs dominated the zebra race and knows it!