Betting the $18,000 Place Payout at Canterbury

TwinSpires.com players who opt in and bet at least $50 on either Wednesday or Thursday this week (any track) will qualify to participate in Friday night's $18,000 Place Payout at Canterbury Park, which has a mandatory payout.

Once qualified, players must bet $5 to Place on a single or horse or entry in all nine races to split $1,000. Those that cash a Place bet in at least five (5) races will split an additional $1,000. Cash a Place bet in at least seven (7) races and split another $1,000, or cash a Place bet in all nine (9) races to split an additional $15,000. If no one hits all nine races, then the $15,000 will be split among all qualified players with the most winning Place wagers.

Here are some horses of interest on Friday's Canterbury card that begins at 7:37 p.m. (EDT).

Race 2

#6 IS IT GOLD (10-1) did not apply any pressure to #1 DOUBLE ESPRESSO in their last meeting, and the latter ran away to a convincing score. This filly is reunited here with Scott Stevens, who's ridden her successfully in the past and who might be a little more aggressive so that there is no repeat of that Aug. 11 heat. At the very least, expecting her to be more forwardly placed.

Race 5

#2 UNITED PATRIOT (9-2) bombed on the grass here in the Mystic Lake Derby, but showed more when clearly second best in the Manitoba Derby to Sky Promise, who repeated last weekend in the Canadian Derby (G3). Faces older here for the first time, but his rivals seem fairly well-exposed.

Race 7

Former Southern California mainstay #1 RUFF HOUSE (6-1) missed twice at odds-on at Prairie Meadows, but margin was short two back and last time he was outrun by the winner going 4 1/2 furlongs. Tonight's 6 1/2 panels might be more in his wheelhouse. Picks up meet-leading Ry Eikleberry to ride.

Good luck!