Bold America steps up off impressive win

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - The $50,000 Canterbury Juvenile Stakes doesn't feature any standout entrants, but several runners in the field of 12 appear ready to step up into stakes company.

Chief among these is the likely favorite, Bold America, who ships in from Arlington Park.

Bold America is an Illinois-bred son of American Chance who dominated a field of open-company maidens at Arlington when he made his second start in June.

Trained by Richard Hazelton, Bold America set the fastest half-mile fraction posted that day and beat seven rivals by six lengths in a ridden-out performance. Carlos Silva makes the trip to Canterbury Park to pilot Bold America in the 5 1/2-furlong Juvenile.

Perhaps best of the local hopes is Giant Slam, a gelded son of Grand Slam trained by Doug Oliver for owner Alice Mettler. Giant Slam won his maiden race two weeks ago while making his second start at Canterbury Park. He dueled through rapid fractions with the first-timer Shabang Shabang and then drew clear late to win by more than three lengths. Leslie Mawing returns in the irons.

Shabang Shabang could be the runner who turns around the Canterbury season for trainer Wilson Brown's barn.

Shabang Shabang is a son of freshman stallion Arch out of Wide Country, winner of the Maryland Juvenile Fillies and Black-Eyed Susan. Caught on the rail in that first appearance, Shabang Shabang should give an improved performance in his second start.

Madam Speaker is a Minnesota-bred filly whose half-sister In Moderation captured the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes in 1997. Madam Speaker demonstrated the same kind of talent when she overcame a terrible break to beat a field of statebred maidens by daylight in her career debut last month.

Chicago shipper Run for You exits the maiden race captured by Bold America and has had legitimate excuses in both of his career starts.