Challenge


Jr Rock Star Prevails In $33,750 Merial Canterbury Distaff Challenge
Jr Rock Star (#4) prevails in a blanket finish over Blacks Cartel (#3) and Bye Bye Birdy (#11) to win the $33,750 Merial Canterbury Distaff Challenge.

© Coady Photography
Jr Rock Star Prevails In $33,750 Merial Canterbury Distaff Challenge

SHAKOPEE, MN—JULY 4, 2017—Jr Rock Star won the $33,750 Merial Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge by a head over Blacks Cartel. Brayan Velazquez was aboard the 4-year-old mare for leading trainer Jason Olmstead and owners Don and Lucille Webb of Diamond, Missouri.

"This mare has been real game," Olmstead said. "She tries her guts out every time."

Jr Rock Star covered 400 yards in :20.246 seconds, a 98-speed index into a 20-mph crosswind, and returned $8.60 to win. Bye Bye Birdy, the wagering favorite, finished a fast closing third.

The winning connections of Jr Rock Star accept the Merial Canterbury Park Distaff stakes trophy Tuesday afternoon at Canterbury Park. © Coady Photography
"Every time [the Webbs] show up this mare wins. So I hope they keep coming to the races," Olmstead said.

Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches bred the Fantastic Corona Jr filly in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare One Famous Rock Star. A winner of five of 14 career starts she used today's $15,525 winners' purse to boost her earnings total to $55,943.

Jockey David Pinon rode runner-up Blacks Cartel for owner Tracy Black and trainer Casey Black. Don and Elieen Black bred the daughter of Streakin Six Cartel in Minnesota from the Oh My Gee Whiz mare Brandi Whiz. She earned $6,750 for the effort.

Post-time favorite Bye Bye Birdy was bumped at the break but got into stride late under jockey Cristian Esqueada to finish third.

Also trained by Black, the daughter of Hawkinson won last year's Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge. Owned by Barbara Barely and bred in Missouri by Barley & Sharp Farm and Steve Burns, the sorrel 4-year-old is out of the Zevi (TB) mare Sweet Bye And Bye. She earned $3,375 to boost her bankroll to $107,704.

Canterbury Park’s 67-day live mixed-breed meet runs May 5 through Sept. 16. The quarter horse season begins May 27 and runs through the Minnesota Festival of Champions Aug. 20. Additional information is available at canterburypark.com.