Robertson, Eikleberry each win four on Minnesota Fesival card

SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA – Trainer Mac Robertson saddled five winners and jockey Ry Eikleberry rode four winners on the closing day of the meet Sunday as Canterbury Park celebrated Minnesota Festival of Champions day for statebreds.

The five-win day allowed Robertson to finish the meet with a meet-high 51 wins and $717,223 in earnings. His stakes wins came with Belle Notte in the Distaff Sprint, Suddenly Silver in the Classic Championship, Sir Tricky in the Turf Championship, and Espirit de Bleu in the Northern Lights Debutante. His fifth win came with Tubby Time in an allowance.

Eikleberry, 21, unable to ride since a spill Thursday evening, returned to action Sunday to win the $18,240 Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity, the $50,000 Minnesota Distaff Classic, the $50,000 Distaff Sprint, and the $50,000 Classic Championship

The 9-year-old Sir Tricky ($3.80) , making the final start of his career, got his third Champions Day win in the $35,000 Turf Championship at a mile. He tracked just off the pace while leader Mack's Blackhawk set fractions of 24.50 seconds, 48.09, and 1:11.42. Sir Tricky angled out at the top of the stretch and made a sustained drive through the stretch to finish a length ahead of Mack's Blackhawk in a final time of 1:36.40.

Suddenly Silver ($4.20) dominated the Classic Championship at 1 1/16 on the turf. He led the field early and drew off late to win by five lengths in a final time of 1:38.74.

Bella Notte ($3) led the field gate-to-wire in the $50,000 Distaff Sprint Championship. Belle Notte defeated second-choice Special Occasion by 4 1/2 lengths, and finished the six furlongs in 1:10.02.

Espirit de Bleu ($3.20) won the $55,000 Northern Lights Debutante in front-running fashion, completing the six furlongs in 1:12.12.

In the other races, Sasha's Fierce ($11.40) defeated 2-5 favorite Chick Fight by five lengths to win the $50,000 Distaff Classic at a 1 1/16 in a final time of 1:45.28.

Nomorewineforeddie ($4.60) out-dueled Bizet and First Captain to win the $50,000 Sprint Championship by half-length in a final time of 1:10.0.

Black Tie Benny ($11.20) won by 7 1/4 lengths in the $55,000 Northern Lights Futurity. He dueled with favorite Samendra in fractions of 22.12 and 45.38 before drawing off in the stretch to win in a final time of 1:11.30

* In the Quarter Horses races, Six It Up ($3.20) won the $18,200 Derby by 1 3/4 lengths. She finished the 400 yards in 20.686 seconds..

Seis It Fast ($2.20) closed with a late rush to win the Futurity by a neck over VOs Nicotine. He finished the 350 yards in 18.523.