Robertson wins four on Festival card

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - The seven-race Minnesota Festival of Champions card on Sunday at Canterbury Park featured several memorable upsets before by a crowd of 8,382 fans.

C C Tat ($8.60) completed a dream season for trainer Dougie Huntington when he captured the $50,000 Minnesota Turf Championship, prevailing by a half-length over 3-5 favorite Joni's Justice in the mile race. Pacesetting Winter Trick finished another length behind for third. Huntington, who claimed C C Tat in June for $10,000 and saw the 5-year-old gelding win in two subsequent starts, was quick to credit rider Lori Keith for the victory in the Turf Championship.

Trainer Mac Robertson saddled four winners on the Festival Day card, including Sir Tricky, who made the most of an inside trip under rider Derek Bell to prevail in the $50,000 Minnesota Sprint Championship. Captain Canaveral finished second, a length behind the winner and 2 1/2 lengths clear of pacesetter Wild Shifter, who finished third. Sir Tricky ($3.80) is owned by Joni and Barry Butzow.

Chick Fight lived up to her 1-10 favoritism when she prevailed by 10 lengths in the $60,000 Northern Lights Debutante under Bell. Bob's Marley proved clearly best of the others when she finished another 11 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Special Occasion. Chick Fight ($2.20) is trained by Robertson.

Ice Rocket ($105.20) circled the field to prevail by two lengths in the $60,000 Northern Lights Futurity in the biggest upset of the day after 4-5 favorite A Steel Trap stumbled at the start. Supreme Warrior edged First Captain by a nose for second. Glenn Corbett rode Ice Rocket for trainer Todd Hoffrogge, who saddled the one-two finishers in the Futurity.

Robertson also enjoyed a one-two finish when Thanks for the Tip made all the pace to best 3-5 favorite Bella Notte by 6 3/4 lengths in the $50,000 Minnesota Distaff Sprint Championship. Gracious Halo finished another 1 1/4 lengths behind to be third. Dean Butler rode Thanks for the Tip, who returned $30.60 as the fifth wagering choice.

Pretty as a Smile shook clear early and widened her margin to capture the $50,000 Minnesota Distaff Classic Championship by 9 1/4 lengths under rider Nik Goodwin. Hills of Ireland rallied for second, edging favored Seasahm by 2 1/2 lengths. Pretty as a Smile ($5.60) is trained by Gary Scherer.

Suddenly Silver ($4) capped a record day for Robertson when he led the field from gate to wire in the $50,000 Minnesota Classic Championship, prevailing by better than 13 lengths under Bell. Wally's Choice rallied for second, 4 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Rock Ridge Road. Robertson's four winners in one day on the Festival card eclipsed the record three winners for trainer Mike Biehler in 2004.