Oaklawn Park: Canterbury whiz Heliskier begins 2014 campaign in Hot Springs

Heliskier, who for the past two seasons has been named the horse of the year at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, will launch his 5-year-old campaign in Friday’s eighth race at Oaklawn. He’s part of a nine-horse field in an optional $50,000 claimer at six furlongs. Others set to start include multiple stakes winner Officer Alex, and the Grade 3-placed runners Jake Mo and Heaven’s Runway.

Heliskier last raced on Sept. 1, and won the $55,000 Minnesota Sprint Championship at Canterbury. He dominated by 4 3/4 lengths, and for the effort equaled his best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 101. The win improved Heliskier’s career record to 9 for 11. Other notable wins for the gelding by Appealing Skier include a 13 1/4-length romp in the $65,000 Minnesota Derby in 2012. Heliskier has won divisional titles from the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association the past three years, all for owner Marlene Colvin.

“Heliskier is an amazing horse and his owner is one of the sweetest ladies you could ever meet,” said Kay King, executive director of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association. “Her husband was a longtime trainer and was breaking Heliskier when he passed away. Her husband told her that this horse was ‘something special,’ and obviously he was right.”

Heliskier is trained by Mac Robertson. The horse will break from post 8 under Alex Canchari, and could get an ideal tracking trip behind the rail-drawn Platitude.