SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Two overnight stakes on the main track Friday night kick off Minnesota Oaks and Derby weekend at Canterbury Park. The $40,000 John Bullit Stakes will be contested at 1 1/16 miles, while the fillies and mares will be sprinting six furlongs in the $40,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes. In the John Bullit, Az Ridge comes in with a win in the off-the-turf, $97,000 Mystic Lake Mile after leading nearly all the way. He should have some pressure on the front end from allowance winner Holiday Mischief, while multiple stakes winner Stachys will be looking to pick up the pieces late. JOHN BULLIT STAKES, RACE 5 KEY CONTENDERS Stachys (Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-89) ◗ He is a multiple stakes winner who likes to come from off the pace. ◗ He was second in the Mystic Lake Mile and Brooks Fields stakes, both off the turf and on sloppy tracks. ◗ He hasn’t missed the board in four starts at Canterbury this season. Holiday Mischief (Last 3 Beyers: 101-89-68) ◗ He has the highest last-race Beyer Speed Figure (101) in the field. ◗ He has two allowance scores in 2014, including his last start. ◗ This is his first stakes effort since a distant sixth in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby last September. Az Ridge (Last 3 Beyers: 96-61-97) ◗ He won the off-the-turf Mystic Lake Mile on July 12. ◗ He does his best running on or near the lead. ◗ If Holiday Mischief doesn’t go early, he could have the early pace to himself. The graded stakes-placed Flower Spell comes in from Chicago for the Hoist Her Flag. The seven-horse field features several running styles, and the key will be determining whether Flower Spell has enough to put the other speed away or whether there will be enough pace to open the door to the closers. HOIST HER FLAG STAKES, RACE 8 KEY CONTENDERS Flower Spell (Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-84) ◗ Chicago invader was second-best to My Option in the Grade 3 Chicago Handicap at Arlington last out. ◗ She has been running on turf and Polytrack in Chicago but placed second in a $50,000 optional-claiming dirt sprint at Oaklawn this year. Rosemary Homeister Jr. makes the trip to Minnesota for the ride. Baetykaty (Last 3 Beyers: 85-69-71) ◗ The Robertino Diodoro trainee carries a five-race winning streak into the race dating back to her maiden victory in her last outing of 2013. ◗ She should be pushing the pace early. ◗ This is her first foray outside of her native Pennsylvania. Polar Plunge (Last 3 Beyers: 69-74-74) The closing style of the Minnesota-bred may need the race to fall apart in front of her. She has done her best closing in sprints, and she’s back after two route attempts.