Canterbury Park: Wednesday Night Star Studded Turf Analysis

Canterbury Park resembles so many mid-tier tracks around the country. They rely heavily on promotional events around racing to bolster revenue.

However, Wednesday night’s turf festival is drawing some big names from around the country that should allow horseplayers to enjoy a midweek night of first class racing from Shakopee, MN.

Canterbury Turf Festival Full Card Selections

Canterbury Park – Race 1

Post: 5:07 PM CT; $15k Starter Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 5

• The top selection in this race goes to #1 GRAY MAGICIAN (2-1). With the highest overall power rating in the group, he is expected to perform well. Gray Magician shouldn't have any trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.
• #2 SINGLE ME OUT (9-2) is another strong contender. Having proven his ability to handle these conditions in previous starts, he is considered a major player in this race.
• #4 KIERKEGAARD (6-1) also appears to be a major factor. With performances that are good enough to beat this group, Kierkegaard showcases solid early pace figures in a race that seems to lack significant front running speed.
• #5 RECKONING DAY (8-5) is expected to be competitive in this spot. Positioned in the second tier of runners, he will likely make a well-timed run at the leaders. Similar to Gray Magician, Reckoning Day shouldn't have any trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 5

Canterbury Park – Race 2

Post: 5:47 PM CT; $75k Brooks Fields Mile S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 6

• The top pick for this race is #1 MAX K. O. (8-5), who appears to be the class of the field. With consistently strong pace figures, Max K. O. should perform well in this moderately paced race. Mike Maker is one of the top turf route trainers in the country and brings in former Canterbury Park jockey and Kentucky Derby runner up Jareth Loveberry to ride.
• #5 DRAMA CHORUS (2-1) is considered a major player in this race as well. With consistently strong pace figures like Max K. O., Drama Chorus holds the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 FUERTEVENTURA (3-1) also emerges as a major player based on speed figures. The draw should be just about perfect for this runner.
• #6 STAGECOACH BOYS (8-1) shouldn't be overlooked, as he has proven his ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 6

Canterbury Park – Race 3

Post: 6:12 PM CT; $11k Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 5

• In this race, #4 CELTICS WILDCAT (9-5) appears to be the strongest contender and the class of the field. This one is a worthy favorite, but the race looks pretty wide open.
• #2 MOONSHINE MOXY (2-1) is also considered a major player in this race. With the combination of Silva and Berrios-Lopez, Moonshine Moxy demands respect. She has demonstrated performances good enough to beat this group.
• #5 WRIGHT WINGED (6-1) should be competitive in this spot as well. With races good enough to beat this group, Wright Winged possesses tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #3 GHOST OF GENEVIEVE (5-1) is likely best to put underneath on most tickets. She has been consistently solid in recent starts and is expected to deliver a strong performance here. Additionally, she should contribute to the early pace in this race. Perhaps she holds on and gets a piece.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 5 – 3

Canterbury Park – Race 4

Post: 6:42 PM CT; $75k Curtis Sampson Oaks going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• The top selection in this race goes to #4 FLASHY GEM (8-5). With the combination of Brad Cox and Florent “Flo” Geroux, she demands respect. Flashy Gem could benefit from the right setup in this race and looks to cover the travel expenses with a sweet pay day here.
• #1 KNOCKYOURSOCKSOFF (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. Going out for the Block barn and with Quinonez in the irons, she presents a strong contender.
• #6 LIL MISS MOONLIGHT (9-2) wouldn’t be a total surprise in this spot and makes sense based on speed figures. There is a bit of concern about what the post may present with so many contenders to the inside who may get a more preferential trip.
• #5 C C CRUISE CONTROL (10-1) is a price horse who ships in to Shakopee for the race. McPeek only has one runner on the card so this one isn’t just filling a stall on the horse trailer. That is a positive sign and she shouldn't have trouble with the 1-mile distance. She comes into the race in really good form for Kenny McPeek who trained Swiss Skydiver during the Covid Triple Crown season.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 6 – 5

Canterbury Park – Race 5

Post: 7:12 PM CT; $13k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• The top pick for this race is #7 WHERE'S FRANKIE (9-5). Running evenly, she looks to have a favorable pace scenario. Where's Frankie has demonstrated performances good enough to beat this group.
• #5 CHIVE UP (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. Having proven her ability to handle these conditions in previous starts, she demands respect going out for the combination of Rengstorf and Berrios-Lopez.
• #2 CHASING SHADOWS (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. Projected to sit mid-pack and come with one run, she presents a strong chance.
• #1 BETTY'S BAR (8-1) shouldn't be overlooked, as she runs evenly and looks to have a fair pace scenario. Perhaps she can grind them down late.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 2 – 1

Canterbury Park – Race 6

Post: 7:42 PM CT; $75k Lady Canterbury S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 10

• In this race, #3 SHE CAN'T SING (9-5) looks to be the best option. She appears to be the class of the field and has demonstrated performances good enough to beat this group.
• #5 REGAL REALM (3-1) should be competitive in this spot, as she has shown races good enough to beat this group. This is one of two in the race for Jonathan Thomas who trained Catholic Boy to over $2 million in earnings.
• #4 LADY HIDEAWAY (12-1) is a price horse who should also be competitive. She could benefit from the right setup in this race. This one goes out for Ian Wilkes who ships in from the East Coast. That’s an expensive train ticket if you don’t think you have a shot.
• #2 MIDNIGHT CURRENT (6-1) is expected to be competitive as well. With a good chance to hit the board, she should be positioned in the second tier of runners and look to make a well-timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 2

Canterbury Park – Race 7

Post: 8:12 PM CT; $75k Dark Star Turf Sprint S. going 5 furlongs on turf; Entries: 8

• The top selection for this race is #1 ARTEMUS CITYLIMITS (2-1). He appears to be the class of the field and should be part of the early pace.
• #5 MARK OF THE Z (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. His recent speed figures make him absolutely dangerous in this spot.
• #4 HIGH FRONT (5-2) is a solid contender, going out for the Jonathan Thomas barn with Geroux in the irons. He has been in excellent form in recent starts and is poised to deliver a strong performance.
• #3 THEALLIGATORHUNTER (5-1) is worth considering for underneath positions on most tickets. With the combination of Padilla and Quinonez, he demands respect and should also be part of the early pace. This one has the home field advantage, but it isn’t often he sees these types of monsters on his beloved Canterbury turf course.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 3

Canterbury Park – Race 8

Post: 8:42 PM CT; $100k Canterbury Derby going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 6

• The top pick in this race is #2 WORTHINGTON (2-1). He shouldn't have trouble with the 1-mile distance and is likely to be positioned in the first flight of runners, giving him a chance to contend late.
• #3 GOLDEN BANDIT (6-1) is a fringe contender in this spot and should handle the 1-mile distance well. He presents a strong case based on speed figures.
• #1 ONE IN VERMILLION (6-5) is another contender to watch, as he looks to be the class of the field. With the top overall power rating in the group, he possesses a significant advantage.
• #6 COFFEE CALIENTE (10-1) is a price horse who shouldn't be overlooked. Running evenly, he looks to have a very fair pace scenario in this race.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 6

Canterbury Park – Race 9

Post: 9:12 PM CT; $50k MTA Stallion Auction S. going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• The best option in this race is #6 THUNDERS ROCKNROLL (8-5). She appears to be the class of the field and has been consistently solid in recent starts. She is poised to deliver a big performance here.
• #3 SIR STERLING (4-1) shouldn't be overlooked and is expected to be part of the early pace. He presents a strong case based on speed figures.
• #4 CHECKCASHINGCONNIE (9-2) is another contender to consider for underneath positions on most tickets. Having proven her ability to handle these conditions in previous starts, she is in solid form and ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #1 MAMASHAVNAHOTFLASH (7-2) is also worth considering for underneath positions. She has races good enough to beat this group and possesses consistent pace figures that should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 4 – 1

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