Canterbury: Pair of stakes slotted if track is allowed to run

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – As of 12:01 a.m. Friday morning, state services in Minnesota were shut down forcing the cancellation of Friday’s card at Canterbury Park. The status of Sunday’s card was uncertain as of Friday afternoon but the scheduled feature races are the $50,000 Blair’s Cove and $35,000 Shot of Gold.

State leaders were unable to come to a budget agreement by midnight Thursday leaving most of the government unfunded. The Minnesota Racing Commission, overseer of operations at Canterbury, was among those affected. After a series of motions, Canterbury argued in Ramsey County Court on Friday that since the commission is self-funded and the state is already in possession of Canterbury’s payment for July’s services the track should remain open. It is not clear when the court will issue a decision.

The Blair’s Cove is for Minnesota-breds going a mile and a sixteenth over the turf. Favored Tubby Time was very sharp in his return to the turf last out winning an allowance race by 1 3/4 lengths. Mack’s Blackhawk was outfinished by Tubby Time in that turf allowance but has never finished out of the money on this course. Freedom First, winner of the 10,000 Lakes, Suddenly Silver, winner of the 2010 Minnesota Classic, Bizet, Cubfanbudman, and Jaival round out the field.

The Shot of Gold is at six furlongs on the dirt for 3-year olds and up. Morning-line favorite Bobadieu comes into the race after taking the Free Press Stakes at Assiniboia by three lengths. He’ll have company on the front end from speedsters Gatling Gun and Malone Slam. Closers in the seven-horse field are led by Grade 1 Champagne Stakes winner Homeboykris, picked up three starts back as a $30,000 claim by trainer Tammy Domenosky. The other entrants are Breezy Point, Overthehump and Minnesota-bred Nomorewineforeddie.