Martinez catches a break at Canterbury

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Jockey Seth Martinez, who won 10 races last week that put him atop the Canterbury Park rider standings, was involved in a controversial stewards' decision following the running of last Friday night's fourth race.

Martinez drove Mythique to the wire to prevail by a neck but found out soon after completing the race that his ride was the focus of a stewards' inquiry.

In the stretch, Mythique had drifted in markedly and crossed into the path of Bold Selecto, who was just beginning to pass the pacesetting Mr. Guyana. Juan Rivera, aboard Bold Selecto, was forced to check his mount off the winner, costing him second place.

After several minutes of reviewing what appeared to be a clear infraction, the stewards elected not to take any action against Mythique or Martinez.

"There was a judgment type thing involved there," said Jim Higginbottom, one of the stewards. "There was only one other rider involved in the incident and he didn't have a problem with it. So we went with the flow on that one."