SHAKOPEE, MN—JULY 7, 2020—Post-time favorite Danjer left no questions unanswered in his return to Canterbury Park. The 4-year-old FDD Dynasty gelding won the deep fifth edition of the $62,739 Bank of America Canterbury Park Championship Challenge (G3) and broke the track record in the process.

Danjer ($4.20) and Cody Smith stopped the clock in 21.062 in the 440-yard stake and earned a 121 speed index.

Danjer is trained by Dean Frey and races for Dean Frey, Downtime Enterprises and Billy Smith. Frey bred him in Oklahoma, out of the Take Off Jess mare Shez Jess Toxic.

"He's good but you still have to run," Frey said of the 4-year-old whose first career win came at Canterbury in 2018.

In 16 starts, Danjer now has eight wins and has earned $562,706 in his career.

He is a multiple stakes winner and has multiple graded stakes placings. As a 2-year-old, Danjer won the All American Juvenile Stakes and placed third in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1). His 3-year-old campaign included a runner up positions in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and the Championship at Sunland Park (G1). He prepped for Tuesday’s stake with a start in the Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1).

Danjer broke his maiden at Canterbury Park in 2018, this was his first start back in Minnesota since that first victory.

Eagles Fly Higher broke sharply and dueled with Danjer to the wire. The 4-year-old colt was ridden by Agustin Silva for trainer Casey Black and owner Darling Farms. He was bred by V. H. Harman Jr and Robert Moudy III, by One Famous Eagle and out of Lone Bet, by First Down Dash.

Eagles Fly Higher took bettors’ money thanks to his impressive recent class; earlier this year, he won the Eastex (G2) and Sooner State (RG1) at Remington Park. He has 6 wins in 19 starts with $401,416 earned to date. He earned a 120 speed index in Tuesday’s effort.

Three Olives N Smoke closed well to get up for third under jockey Ry Eikleberry, one of the top Thoroughbred riders of the current Canterbury meet. John Hammes trains Three Olives N Smoke for Margo Schares and Brad Thomas. Schares bred the 7-year-old gelding in Colorado, by Jess Louisiana Blue and out of Smokin Corona, by Corona Cartel.

Three Olives N Smoke competed in the 2009 edition of the Canterbury regional qualifier before winning the Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge (G2) and competing in the final at Albuquerque in October. He was second in the Bank of American Challenge Championship (G1) at Prairie Meadows in 2017. His earnings now total $272,415 in 27 career starts.

Completing the field were Df Lord Garvan, Damn Strait, Heza Blues Man, Kowboy Jim, Pyc Jess bite Mydust and Uncurled Fist. High Rate of Motion was scratched.