Canterbury track report

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - The Quarter Horse Quick Buds put together two of the most eye-catching performances of this meet last week. Quick Buds captured a division of the Northlands Futurity Trials by 1 1/4 lengths on Saturday, just two days after he won a maiden race by more than two lengths. Quick Buds will next run in the Northlands Futurity on July 5 - if trainer Jerry Dobbs can avoid the itch to run the undefeated grey 2-year-old before then.

* Buff E Low has been a fan favorite at Canterbury ever since he debuted in the Pony Classic, a race which is held annually as part of the Don MacBeth Day fund-raising event. Standing less than three feet high, Buff E Low surprised onlookers when he carried rider Dave Shepherd to victory in the 2000 race.

Buff E Low was trained by Shepherd's son, Justin, in past seasons but with Justin now a successful apprentice rider, training duties have been assumed by Justin's siblings Bucky and Dusty. Buff E Low's appearance in this season's Pony Classic, scheduled for Sunday, is not without controversy. David Shepherd is now working as an agent for Robert Lester but it's unclear whether his children would name Lester aboard Buff E Low. Sales of Buff E Low Coffee Mugs and T-shirts will be held to benefit the MacBeth Fund.