Van Winkle, Loveberry sweep Canterbury holiday stakes

A dark, soggy Memorial Day at Canterbury Park felt just fine to trainer David Van Winkle and jockey Jareth Loveberry.

Beach Getaway, Loveberry riding for Van Winkle, splashed to a two-length upset in the $55,000 Northbound Pride Oaks, paying $15.20 to win. That was nothing compared to the next race, where Fireman Oscar stormed to a four-length score, Loveberry for Van Winkle again, and lit the tote at $52.40.

Both races were scheduled for turf but rained onto dirt during a very wet card with the track sloppy and sealed from the start.

Beach Getaway stalked the pace on the outside and overpowered pace-setting O’Keefe in the final three-sixteenths of a mile to land the Northbound Pride Oaks, running a mile in 1:39.61. Support, the odds-on favorite, never got into real contention and checked in a well-beaten third followed by Unique Factor and Dicey. Full of Grace, Stormy Music, and Winning Envelope were scratched.

Beach Getaway, by Run Away and Hide out of Beach Magic, by Hard Spun, campaigns for James Thares and was making her first start in the Van Winkle barn after previously racing for trainer Ben Colebrook.

Fireman Oscar snapped a 12-race losing streak dating to September 2017 with an easy win in the five-furlong Honor the Hero. Fireman Oscar was eighth at the first call but Loveberry cleaved to the inside fence and Fireman Oscar, after reaching contention past the quarter pole, stormed home much the best. Creative Art won a photo with Majestic Pride for second as Fireman Oscar clocked 57.59 seconds.

Pete Mattson bred and owned Fireman Oscar, a 5-year-old gelding by Law Enforcement out of Brandy Bai, by Essence of Dubai.