Broadway Empire should be challenged on the lead in Mystic Lake Mile

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – The action at Canterbury Park came to a stop on Belmont Stakes Day, when one of its own, jockey Scott Stevens, climbed aboard longshot Broadway Empire in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and made some noise before fading late in the contest, giving way to the impressive Palace Malice. On Saturday, fans will see Broadway Empire and Stevens at home as he headlines the $100,000 Mystic Lake Mile on turf.

While the Mystic Lake Mile will be Broadway Empire’s first try on turf, the multiple graded stakes winner has been installed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite. On July 2, the 4-year-old gelding impressed with a 57.80-second workout over a yielding Canterbury turf course. The son of Empire Maker has been most successful on the front end, but Stevens looks to have some company once the gates open.

Jimmy Simms, trained by Steve Asmussen, has won four of five in 2014, including his last three, taking the off-the-turf Brooks Fields Stakes last out. Jimmy Simms won’t be the only early speed looking to challenge the favorite, however.

Global Power, third in the Grade 3 Jaipur at Belmont last out, also should be in the mix early. Trainer Tom Amoss ships in jockey Jacob Radosevich for the ride.

The field is not devoid of closers who will look to take advantage of a swift early pace. Owners Al and Bill Ulwelling’s duo of Beyond Compare and stakes winner Stachys both should be coming late. Stachys closed sharply in the Brooks Fields two starts back but was unable to catch the front-running Jimmy Simms. With additional early pace, the 7-year-old gelding might be better positioned in the Mystic Lake Mile.

Canterbury’s signature turf race for fillies and mares, $100,000 Lady Canterbury Stakes at about a mile, also is on tap for Saturday and features four graded stakes-placed horses, including Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Awesome Flower. After a rough start to 2014, Awesome Flower has hit the board in three straight races, including a win in the Windward at Presque Isle and a third in the Grade 3 Arlington Matron.

On the front end, the graded stakes-placed Eden Prairie comes in after pushing the pace in the Grade 1 Madison and Grade 3 Chicago Handicap but tiring late in each of those efforts. Eden Prairie should have some company early from the Michael Stidham trainee Abundantly Clear. The Lady Canterbury will be Abundantly Clear’s first try against stakes company, coming after a gate-to-wire win in an Arlington Park allowance.

Gold Medal Dancer, a winner of two straight, including the off-the-turf Minnesota HBPA Distaff last out, will look to utilize her closing style to make it three in a row.