Canterbury Park: Stakes doubleheader

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Minnesota-bred runners will compete on the turf in the Blair's Cove and Princess Elaine stakes.

Twelve fillies and mares were entered in the $35,000 Princess Elaine Stakes, which is contested at 1 1/16 miles. Lakeville just missed in the Lady Slipper Stakes, and may assume the favorite's role. Tried on the grass for the first time in her last start, Lakeville got loose in the post parade and had a wide trip, and finished third in an allowance race. Paul Nolan rides.

Demiparfait exits the same allowance race as Lakeville and might improve when she makes her second start on the turf in the Princess Elaine. Bobby Walker Jr. is named to ride.

Classic Nix pulled a major upset last season when she captured the Princess Elaine at odds of 22-1. Winless in three starts this year, Classic Nix will be ridden by Jason Eads.

She's Scrumpy leads the ranks of the statebred 3-year old filly division and will make her first start on the grass in the Princess Elaine. Seth Martinez will ride.

Two past winners of the Blair's Cove meet eight younger rivals in this year's edition of the $35,000, 1 1/16-mile turf contest for statebreds.

Ashar, now 8, captured the last two runnings of the Blair's Cove after finishing second in the 2000 renewal. Ashar - who like Blair's Cove was sired by Bucksplasher - will be rallying from well back. Bobby Walker Jr. is named to ride.

One of the runners Ashar will be trying to catch is the 10-year-old gelding All Rumor, who won the Blair's Cove at 25-1 in 1999. All Rumor flashed his old form when he opened a clear lead in a turf race last out. Leslie Mawing will ride.

J. P. Jet, last season's horse of the meet, will need to prove his ability to handle the turf after finishing fifth in his first attempt on the grass in an allowance race three weeks ago. Derek Bell returns in the irons.

Now Playing may be favored in the Blair's Cove since he bested J. P. Jet and eight other rivals in a turf allowance three weeks ago. Now Playing finished third in the Blair's Cove last season. Scott Stevens has the mount.