Statebreds figure in Juvenile, Lassie

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Minnesota-bred 2-year-olds figure prominently when facing open company in both the $40,000 Canterbury Park Lassie and $40,000 Brian Barenscheer Juvenile Stakes on Saturday at Canterbury Park.

Trainer Scott Blasi sends out the horse to beat, Unbridled Ambiance, against nine rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong Lassie Stakes. Blasi, filling in for the suspended Steve Asmussen, is a Canterbury Park alumnus, having worked as an exercise rider for his brother Greg here in the mid-1990's.

Unbridled Ambiance won her career debut, beating maiden claiming rivals at Churchill Downs by 6 3/4 lengths last month. A Florida-bred daughter of the freshman sire Unbridled Time, Unbridled Ambiance has worked four times at Turfway Park in preparation for her first stakes. Dean Butler has been named to ride.

Cousin Sue, a Minnesota-bred filly, won her maiden at Churchill Downs in her second start, galloping away from a maiden claiming field to prevail by eight lengths. She was claimed from that effort for $30,000. Vic Hanson now trains Cousin Sue. Derek Bell will ride.

Wicked Sweet produced a determined performance to win her maiden earlier this month, making up nearly 10 lengths in the last quarter-mile of her career debut. Jesse Garcia rides Wicked Sweet for trainer Joe McAlister.

Juvenile: Sul Lago off bullet drill

Owner Darwin Olson and trainer Wilson Brown team up with the Minnesota-bred gelding Sul Lago, who may prove the slight favorite in the Juvenile. An impressive 7 1/2-length winner in his career debut last month, Sul Lago posted a bullet work last week in preparation for his first stakes try. Paul Nolan rides.

Bee O Bee Bob, a Minnesota-bred gelding, won his maiden with an eye-catching effort in his career debut three weeks ago despite breaking slowly and spotting the rest of the field several lengths. Mac Robertson trains Bee O Bee Bob and Seth Martinez has a return call.

Tie Rod submitted a professional-looking effort when he won his maiden at Canterbury last month, drawing clear by five lengths in his second outing. Trainer Joe Johnson has watched Tie Rod turn in three impressive workouts since that outing. Juan Rivera rides.

Solid Trip finished second in an eventful trip when making his career debut three weeks ago, and could improve in his second outing.