One finish line for 20 horses racing on turf and dirt

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Racetracks are no strangers to “Extreme Days” – ostrich, zebra, and camel racing exhibitions draw fans to the track in droves. Canterbury Park is no exception and has been showcasing an Extreme Day each of the last eight years.

In addition to the exotic animal racing, Canterbury has carded several races designed to test Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds in unusual ways. The Dash in a Flash is a 100-yard Quarter Horse race and the Thoroughbred version is a two- furlong straight line race for older horses.

The most unique race, however, will be the Battle of the Surfaces, a race featuring 20 Thoroughbreds, with post positions 1-12 being run on turf and post positions 13-20 run on dirt.

The two starting gates will be staggered so that the final time of the race is approximated to be the same for both turf and dirt. Canterbury Park officials have analyzed the varying speed of the turf and dirt courses and have judged that the closest finish would result from the turf horses racing an extra one-sixteenth of a mile. The starting gate stalls will open in unison and all horses will finish at the same finish line in front of the grandstand.

“We showed that this could work in 2007 and the fans loved it. We were disappointed the next year when the gates did not open together, but it was technology that failed us, not the race,” said Eric Halstrom said, vice president of racing operations

Each horse will be an individual betting interest with win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagering offered. The order of finish will be determined by best finish position regardless of which surface the horse is racing on. The 20- horse field will be the largest in the country this year.

$7,500 claiming (turf), $5,000 claiming (dirt) (race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

SARATOGA BOOT (Last 3 Beyers: 83-96-74)

◗ Running in the turf portion of the race.

◗Second at $10,000 last out on turf; Canterbury debut at this level in off-the-turf mile was a 9 ¼-length win.

◗ Stalking speed in a turf segment void of speed.

PORTFIDO (Last 3 Beyers: 72-72-70)

◗ First 2014 Canterbury start coming in off a fourth and third in Turf Paradise turf stakes

◗ Deep closer hasn't started for a tag since October.

SETNMUPKNOCKNMDOWN (Last 3 Beyers: 75-56-67)

◗ Running in the dirt portion of the race.

◗ Solid early speed; claimed in last two races, most recently claimed back by John Knight, Larry Donlin trainer.

◗ Moving up in class from $4,000 to $5,000

JOSHUA'S JOURNEY (Last 3 Beyers: 68-27-68)

◗ Running in the dirt portion of the race.

◗ Excellent early speed that he can carry for a mile, even under pressure.

◗ 6 for 11 at Canterbury with a place and show