Mister Banjoman holds by a nose in Shakopee Juvenile

Mister Banjoman couldn’t quite win the $100,000 Northern Lights Futurity for Minnesota-breds two weeks ago but prevailed in the open $75,000 Shakopee Juvenile on Saturday, closing day at Canterbury Park.

Trained by Mac Robertson, who won the Shakopee Juvenile’s 2017 edition with the filly Amy’s Challenge, Mister Banjoman dueled with Boomin Perfect through torrid splits of 21.65 and 44.11 seconds, put his pace rival away before the quarter pole, and held gamely to win by a nose over Topper T.

Mister Banjoman, probably tiring, drifted out late into the path of eventual third-place finisher Kenai Bob, whose rider, Israel Hernandez, lodged an objection that Canterbury stewards denied.

Mister Banjoman, a popular winner, paid $3.80 and ran six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.27.

A gelding, Mister Banjoman cost Novogratz Racing $200,000 at a yearling auction and now has earned $85,400 after picking up $45,000 for his Saturday win under Jareth Loveberry. Mister Banjoman is by Maclean’s Music and is the first foal to race for the Sky Mesa mare Mesa’s Mirage.

► Earlier on the card, 1-5 shot Speeding Kid romped to a 9 1/4-length score in the $60,000 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes. Leslie Mawing rode Speeding Kid, a son of Law Enforcement, for owners Lori and William Townsend and trainer Miguel Silva.