Stakes Spot Plays for Canterbury Park

A total of four black-type races for Minnesota-bred runners will highlight a strong card at Canterbury Park on Saturday.

Race 4 – Francis Genter S.

Sophomore fillies will travel six furlongs on the dirt in the affair. It’s hard to look past the favorite in the field, but #2 Lover Girl (9-2) defeated that one at first asking and has never run a bad race in three lifetime showings for trainer Matt Williams. The dark bay daughter of Congrats is capable of running from off the pace, and she might sit a good trip behind a contested early tempo under regular rider Karlo Lopez.

Race 5 – Ralph Strangis S.

A total of eight boys will travel 7 1/2 grassy panels in what looks to be a good betting contest. Conditioner Joel Berndt is very good off the layoff, and he will saddle the talented #3 That’s Not Funny (8-1) for his 2023 debut in this endeavor. The four-year-old son of Distorted Humor concluded his sophomore season with a good stakes fourth on the course and will be a major contender if he picks up where he left off in 2022. Jermaine Bridgmohan will ride the value play.

Race 7 – Minnesota Turf Distaff S.

Fillies and mares will go postward in the 7 1/2-furlong turf test. Defending champ #2 Midnight Current (8-5) dons a fine 9-6-2-1 mark on the surface and gets top billing to defend her crown in the affair. Berndt pupil has finished as the runner-up in both of her tries this campaign and seems poised to peak while making her third run of the year beneath Harry Hernandez. The morning-line choice will stalk the tempo from the break prior to putting in her solid late burst.

Race 9 – Victor S. Myers S.

Sophomore males will dash six furlongs in the finale, with a total of seven signed on for the tilt. #4 Distorted Pro (7-2) ran like a horse who needed a race last time out and will improve second time off the bench here. Distorted Humor chestnut proved his class when second in the Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds in the winter, and the colt would be very tough to upend with something resembling that performance on Saturday. He will run with blinkers off beneath jockey Luis Valenzuela.