Canterbury track report

Media relations director Kevin Gorg demonstrated he is a triple threat when he filled in Sunday for regular track announcer Paul Allen, who had been called away to address a family emergency.

Gorg, who also serves as the track handicapper in televised paddock previews, got a less than subtle hint about the first-time starter Lovango in the first race from owner Barry Butzow.

"I knew this horse must be a runner," Gorg said, "because Barry called me over in the paddock and told me how to pronounce his horse's name."

Lovango (pronounced Love and Go) galloped up to the leaders while still in hand, split rivals in upper stretch, and drew away to win by five lengths, ridden out, with rider Seth Martinez never uncocking his stick. What made Lovango's performance even more impressive was the final time of 59.05 seconds, which put his race on a par with Tie Rod's win the previous day in the Barenscheer Juvenile. Lovango paid $6.

A massive bay colt by Capote, Lovango was purchased by Butzow at last year's Keeneland September sale and is trained by Mac Robertson. The Robertson barn has been on a steady roll the last few weeks and now leads the Canterbury trainer standings with 27 wins.