Midnight Current looks for third Minnesota Turf Distaff win

Midnight Current is building a résumé that could one day land her in the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame.

The multiple stakes winner is 9 for 13 over the local turf course and on Saturday night will attempt to win the track’s Minnesota Turf Distaff for the third consecutive year.

The race is one of five $40,000 overnight stakes – four are restricted to Minnesota-breds – on a card that will celebrate the track’s newest hall of fame members: Hot Shot Kid and breeders Cheryl Sprick and Richard Bremer.

Midnight Current will be making her second start at the meet in the 7 1/2-furlong Minnesota Turf Distaff. She launched her season June 1 with a runner-up finish in a mile allowance on yielding ground at Canterbury. Since the race, she’s worked seven furlongs on turf in 1:34.80.

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Midnight Current is back with Minnesota-breds for the second start of her form cycle, and faces a strong cast that includes Let’s Skedaddle, who is making her first start since running second to Midnight Current in the Princess Elaine last September.

Eduardo Gallardo has the mount aboard Midnight Current from the rail for longtime trainer Joel Berndt.

Midnight Current, who is a past horse of the meet at Canterbury, is now owned by Runnymoore Racing following last year’s death of her breeder and owner, Bob Lothenbach.

Lothenbach is a member of the Canterbury hall of fame.

Midnight Current, a 6-year-old by Midnight Lute, has been favored in 10 of her last 11 starts. During that period she’s delivered eight times when starting as the chalk.

Berndt has two of the top contenders in the Victor S. Myers for 3-year-olds bred in Minnesota. The field of five will travel six furlongs on the dirt, and a good deal of attention will be on Street Warrior.

Berndt saddled him to a 14 1/4-length debut win in the slop June 15 at Canterbury. The maiden special weight came at the same distance as the Myers. Mach Two, who finished second in the race, returned to win his maiden by 5 1/2 lengths and also starts in the Myers.

Berndt also will be represented by Frosty View, the winner of last year’s Northern Lights Futurity at Canterbury. He is moving back into the Minnesota-bred ranks after four competitive starts against open company that yielded an allowance win at two turns at Delta Downs.

Xavey Dave defends his title in the Ralph Strangis for Minnesota-bred 3-year-olds and up over 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. The competitive field of 10 includes multiple stakes winner Thealligatorhunter and Sir Sterling, who is coming off a win in the 10,000 Lakes at Canterbury.

Xtreme Diva returns to Canterbury and Minnesota-bred company for the Frances Genter for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs after a successful offseason. She won the Dixie Belle over open company this spring at Oaklawn Park.

Last season, Xtreme Diva won both of her starts at Canterbury, topped by the Northern Lights Debutante. Gallardo has the mount for Xtreme Racing Stable and trainer Mac Robertson.

Robertson saddles Cupids Crush in the Mr. Dale Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, which will be run over five furlongs. It’s a rare start on the grass for the runner who is a winner over the local lawn. The inaugural Mr. Dale drew eight entrants.

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