Nun the Less tries to fire fresh in Mystic Lake Mile

Local owner Bob Lothenbach and Chicago-based trainer Chris Block won the inaugural Mystic Lake Mile at Canterbury Park in 2013 with Mister Marti Gras, who still is going solidly along at age 9, and the same connections will have a chance to win it again this season with Nun the Less.

Nun the Less shipped from Arlington to Canterbury last summer and won the Mystic Lake Derby, and he figures to be among the choices again Sunday despite the fact that he’ll be making his first start since Nov. 27.

“I think he’s ready,” Block said. “He can be a bit lazy in the morning – let’s put it that way. He’s got to be pushed along. He’s a good work horse but not great, but he is a true racehorse.”

Nun the Less debuted in an allowance race last season but then ran in nothing but stakes the rest of the year, compiling a solid 8-2-0-3 record. He was a good third in a solid edition of the Hawthorne Derby last fall but might have run his best race stalking a strong pace over the Canterbury course. The local turf took rain Tuesday and figures to be in good shape – not too hard, not too soft – for Sunday’s card, which also includes the $100,000 Lady Canterbury, another grass race.

As of Wednesday, Canterbury racing officials anticipated a field of between eight and 11 for the Mystic Lake Mile. Aztec Brave, Blue Bomber, Heisenberg, Red Zeus, Smoken Kitten, and Toasting Master are all probable runners.

Big field likely for Lady Canterbury, but without No Fault of Mine

The talented 4-year-old filly No Fault of Mine had been mentioned as a possible runner for the $100,000 Lady Canterbury Stakes, but she’ll go instead in the Modesty Handicap at Arlington next month, trainer Block said.

There are plenty of others, however, ready to contest the Lady Canterbury, with 11 or 12 entrants possible, Canterbury officials said. Entries were scheduled to be taken Thursday.

The field is likely to include three runners from trainer Joe Sharp, but Sharp could not be reached Wednesday to determine exactly which of his nominees are likely to run.

Known probable starters are America Mon Amie, Bartiromo, Calypso Run (one of the Sharp runners), Hip Ninety Three, My Blue Sky, Secret Someone, Stormquility, and Stoupinator. Innovative Idea, owned by Godolphin and trained by Eoin Harty, will be supplemented into the race at a cost of $2,000. She finished ninth last out in the Arlington Matron but has gone 2 for 2 in her limited turf career.

Canchari atop rider standings

Alex Canchari, hitting 26 percent winners so far, leads the Canterbury jockey standings with 23 winners through last weekend. Dean Butler was a clear second with 16 winners early in this meet.

Robertino Diodoro leads the trainer standings with 12 winners, two more than second-place Mac Robertson and three more than Francisco Bravo.

◗ Favorites continue to come home at a high rate in Canterbury races and have won at a 43 percent clip (54 for 125) in Thoroughbred races at this meet.