Lovango skips over wet-fast Canterbury track

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - With a Father's Day crowd of just over 10,000 on hand to watch the proceedings, Lovango lived up to his odds-on favoritism to prevail in the $35,000 Shot of Gold Stakes at Canterbury Park on Sunday.

Intermittent showers during the afternoon prompted track maintenance to float the track, leaving a wet-fast surface at post time. The pace types in the Shot of Gold field appeared undeterred as Nordic Wind, Forest Echoes, and Distinguish skirmished in a three-horse battle through fractions of 22.60 and 45.84 seconds.

Jockey Derek Bell had Lovango placed just outside that trio and his mount pounced when given his cue, opening daylight with a quick move nearing the furlong marker and surging away to prevail by 6 1/2 lengths, completing the six furlongs in 1:10.24. Bobadieu rallied for second, another 3 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Roundup Jade.

Mac Robertson trains Lovango ($3.80) for owners Joni and Barry Butzow. This was Lovango's first win at Canterbury Park since winning his maiden in Shakopee as a 2-year old in 2006.