Bourbon County looks to turn tables in 10,000 Lakes Stakes

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Canterbury Park kicks off its 25th racing season Friday night with an eight-race card highlighted by a competitive renewal of the $60,000 10,000 Lakes, a six-furlong stakes for Minnesota-bred colts and geldings.

Defending race winner Speakfromyourheart lines up against six familiar rivals headed by 7-5 morning-line favorite Bourbon County. In last year’s renewal, Speakfromyourheart determinedly ran down Bourbon County to collect top honors by a nose.

Speed Is Life, a 3 1/4-length winner of last August’s Minnesota Derby, joins the fray as one of two 4-year-olds in the field.

Confirmed closer Command the Land joins the speedy Bourbon County as representatives from Bernell Rhone’s stable, and Appeal to the King, a quick Vic Hanson-trained stablemate of the rallying Speakfromyourheart, will assert himself from the outset.

The 10,000 Lakes is set for 9:33 p.m. Central.

KEY CONTENDERS

Speed Is Life (Last 3 Beyers: 69-77-75)

◗ He won a pair of 3-year-old Minnesota-bred stakes last season, emerging as the state’s top sophomore. He has been working well for his 2015 debut at Turf Paradise and here for trainer Doug Oliver.

◗ Ry Eikleberry retains the mount and is 4 for 7 when riding for Oliver in 2014-15. The horse has good tactical speed.

Speakfromyourheart (Last 3 Beyers: 41-79-65)

◗ He posted a career-best 82 Beyer Speed Figure when winning this race last May. He goes well off a layoff, and his Remington Park workout tab is sharp.

◗ Jenna Joubert, who has ridden the 6-year-old gelding in eight of his last 12 races, rides her first race of 2015.

Lil’ Apollo (Last 3 Beyers: 61-73-73)

◗ This consistent gelding does his best work here, where he has collected all four of his wins. A steady effort when third in an April 25 Fonner Park sprint should aid his fitness.

Bourbon County (Last 3 Beyers: 68-87-71)

◗ He is strictly the one to beat based on his dominant efforts over this course and distance, which include a lifetime-best Beyer of 93 in his maiden win in May 2013 and an 87 when taking the Minnesota Sprint Championship last Aug. 31.

◗ He should improve off his April 12 Tampa Bay Downs tightener, and jockey Dean Butler, aboard for all four of his wins, gets back aboard.