Amy's Challenge to get just that in Shakopee Juvenile

It seemed fair to wonder how many folks would be interested in lining up to face Amy’s Challenge in the Shakopee Juvenile Stakes on closing-day Saturday at Canterbury Park. The answer is: plenty.

The Shakopee Juvenile was drawn Wednesday with 10 entrants, including the three best 2-year-olds seen this summer at Canterbury. The filly Amy’s Challenge heads that trio, but Soul of Discretion also impressed in his lone start, and Mr. Jagermeister twice has buried Minnesota-bred rivals.

The Shakopee Juvenile originally had a $60,000 purse, but that was increased to $75,000, and Minnesota-breds run for $100,000.

If the announced purse bump a couple of weeks ago was meant to ensure that the race filled for the exciting prospect Amy’s Challenge, then mission accomplished.

Amy’s Challenge, trained by Mac Robertson, already beat males in her debut, though “beat” is too soft a word. Drubbed, drummed, pummeled, crushed all better reflect her superiority. Amy’s Challenge made a quick early lead in that 5 1/2-furlong maiden race Aug. 6, set a fast pace while in hand, and drew steadily clear to win by 16 1/2 lengths.

Her Beyer Speed Figure, 91, remains the highest in North America by a 2-year-old of either sex this year. If Amy’s Challenge performs as expected Saturday, she could go on to the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Oct. 6 at Keeneland.

Soul of Discretion was scratched from the Arlington-Washington Futurity last weekend in favor of this race. The Discreetly Mine colt scored a blowout debut win of his own Aug. 25, capturing a five-furlong maiden race by 13 lengths with a strong 85 Beyer.

Mr. Jagermeister finished second in the Prairie Gold Juvenile, his only open-company start, but his two wins in Minnesota-bred races came by a combined 27 lengths.

First post for Saturday’s 13-race card is 12:45 p.m. Central, with the Shakopee Juvenile set as race 9 at 4:39.