Canterbury's two statebred turf stakes wide-open

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Two $60,000 statebred turf stakes kick off Independence Day weekend at Canterbury Park on Thursday evening. Both stakes will be contested at 1 1/16 miles with full fields of 12 and appear to be wide-open affairs.

The Princess Elaine Stakes for fillies and mares is led by 4-1 morning-line choice Talkin Bout. Bred and owned by Canterbury Park Hall of Famer Camelia Casby and trained by Gary Scherer, Talkin Bout closed nicely in her local 2014 debut last out to win by three-quarters of a length in a $25,000 optional-claiming race. Jockey Eddie Martin Jr. should have some pace to go after in the Princess Elaine.

The speedy Grace of Greatness had a tough-running seasonal debut, beating open company in a turf allowance May 31. She set the early fractions and was threatened through the turn but repelled the challenge down the lane, tightening her up nicely for the Princess Elaine.

The consistent Blues Edge also will look to get out quickly. Her front-running style has helped her finish in the money in 12 of 14 lifetime starts.

B J’s Angel tracked the field in her turf debut against $30,000 claimers and unleashed a furious late run that had her drawing off to win by 6 1/4 lengths. If her last start is any indication of how she can run on turf, she will be dangerous against this field.

The field also includes last year’s Princess Elaine winner, It’s Tamareno, 2013 Minnesota Distaff Sprint winner Somerset Swinger, and multiple stakes winner Polar Plunge, making her turf debut.

The Blair’s Cove Stakes, for colts and geldings ages 3 and up, also features a tepid 4-1 morning-line favorite, 2013 race winner Ghost Dance. Ghost Dance has had mixed results in 2014, beaten soundly in his debut but bouncing back for a solid second-place finish in a $25,000 optional-claiming race against open company.

Last year’s runner-up, Mack’s Tiger Paw, tried to wire the field before finishing behind Ghost Dance. The Mike Biehler trainee will be in the front early but has had a difficult time holding his speed this season, fading badly in both of his 2014 races.

Another early speedster is two-time Minnesota Classic Championship winner Coconino Slim. The 7-year-old gelding also has had some trouble maintaining his speed, fading in a pair of $25,000 optional-claiming races.

Long shots Bing’s Magic and Sun Country also will help push the pace.

Closer Sheer Trick might be able to take advantage of the glut of early speed. Sheer Trick is facing statebred company again after 11 starts against open company. He hit the board in nine of those open-company starts, including a $25,000 starter-allowance win at Hawthorne in April.

Thursday features a special early first post time of 4 p.m. Central, followed by Canterbury’s annual Independence Day fireworks display.