Robertson misses stakes sweep by a nose

Mac Robertson seemed to have the right horses entered to win both stakes races for Minnesota-breds on opening weekend at Canterbury Park. He had Canterbury's 2009 horse of the year, Chick Fight, in the $35,000 Lady Slipper, and the morning-line favorite, Bizet, set to run a big one in the $35,000 10,000 Lakes.

Bizet got the job done as the slight 2-1 favorite, but Chick Fight got nosed out at the wire by an 11-1 longshot, Special Occasion.

In the Lady Slipper, Derek Bell took 4-5 favorite Bella Notte to the lead out of the gate with Chick Fight, ridden by Scott Stevens, close on her heels. The half-mile fraction of 44.90 seconds proved to be too much for both in the final 70 yards. Chick Fight wore down Bella Notte, but Special Occasion ($24.60) made up 1 1/2 lengths in the final furlong to get up by a nose.

A 4-year-old filly ridden by Juan Rivera for trainer Tim Padilla, Special Occasion ran the six furlongs in a swift 1:09.68. Chick Fight finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Bella Notte.

In the 10,000 Lakes Stakes, Bell guided Bizet ($6.20) to a five-length victory over A Steel Trap, the second choice, also at 2-1.

Bizet, a 4-year-old gelding, finished the six furlongs in 1:09.90 after blistering through the first five-eighths in 57.59 before gearing down late.