Jayana tops Lassie division at Canterbury

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Jayana should prove the favorite in the Lassie division of the $40,000 Stallion Auction Stakes, which shares the spotlight Saturday at Centerbury Park with the Laddie division.

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association sponsors the pair of 6 1/2-furlong stakes, which are for 3-year-old progeny of stallions whose service was sold at the 2003 MTA Stallion Auction.

Jayana, a temperamental filly owned by Kissoon Thoroughbreds and Barry Butzow, has overcome some problematic behavior at the gate to beat allowance foes twice this season. Regular rider Dean Butler will be aboard for trainer Tammy Domenosky.

Fancy for Ghazi, owned by Canterbury Park principals Curt Sampson and Dale Schenian, looms as the upset threat with her consistent pace-pressing style. Paul Nolan will ride.

Leading jockey Derek Bell rides Playit, who bested maiden claiming rivals with a looping late run earlier this month.

The Laddie division is headed up by Hesablumin, an Iowa-bred sired by Blumin Affair, the perennial leading Nebraska stallion whose connections have donated a season to the MTA auction since he first went to stud. Trained by Chris Richard, Hesablumin missed by a nose in the Iowa Stallion Stakes last month, then won an optional claiming race at Arlington two weeks ago. Jockey Ricardo Monterrey rides Hesablumin.

Trainer Mac Robertson has been a constant presence in stakes this meeting, and he sends Not Just Any Gizmo to try the Laddie. Not Just Any Gizmo won his maiden last month in his second start and just missed in a subsequent allowance three weeks ago, finishing second. Bell has the assignment.

The rest of the field might end up chasing I the Jury, who was transferred to the Justin Evans barn in July. A half-brother to 2008 Northern Lights Futurity winner Ice Rocket, I the Jury won his maiden in his second start for Evans last week under a hustling ride from Jesse Garcia, prevailing by better than 15 lengths.