SHAKOPEE, MN—SEPTEMBER 9, 2020—A pair of Quarter Horse stakes closed the Minnesota Festival of Champions at Canterbury Park on Tuesday night, starting with the $70,350 Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity. The annual day of stakes races celebrates Minnesota-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

In their trial from August 25, Western Reserve won by a half-length over Corona White Socks, but in the final, Corona White Socks turned the tables to win by a narrow head at the wire. The final time for the 350-yard stake was :17.804; the winner earned a 93 speed index over a sloppy track.

Corona White Socks ($9.80) was ridden by the all-time leading Quarter Horse rider at Canterbury Park, Nik Goodwin. He is trained by Pat Swan for owner and breeder Dan Kjorsvik.

"I broke really, really well," Goodwin said. "I was pretty confident," he added after a photo finish determined the winner.

Corona White Socks qualified to the MQHRA Stallion Auction Futurity at Canterbury in July and broke his maiden later that month before placing second in his Minnesota Futurity trial as the fourth fastest qualifier. He is two for six lifetime with $42,094 in earnings.

He is sired by Corona Caliente and is out of the Thoroughbred mare Holy White Socks, by Polished Brass.

Western Reserve, the third fastest qualifier and winner of her trial, was ridden by Ry Eikleberry. Canterbury Park Hall of Fame trainer Ed Hardy conditions the Im a Fancy Pyc filly for fellow Hall of Fame owners and breeders Bob and Julie Petersen. Western Reserve is out of the Petersens’ Tres Seis mare Western Fun, a multiple stakes winner at Canterbury. Western Fun also finished second in her Minnesota Futurity in 2011 but returned to win the Minnesota Derby the following year.

Western Reserve won her trial and qualified to the Gopher State Futurity in July. She has won three of her five career efforts and has earned $29,962.

Change N Gears and Luis Valenzuela completed the trifecta for trainer Jason Olmstead. Change N Gears is owned and bred by Summer Run, Inc, by Hes Relentless and out of Engine Number Nine, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Change N Gears broke his maiden in July; he is one for five with $15,785 in earnings. He was the fifth fastest qualifier and finished third in his trial for the Minnesota Futurity behind Western Reserve and Corona White Socks.

Completing the field were Shrimpee, Furiousity, Game Gone West, Pappy Boyington, Moonin the Class and Living in the Past. Sweet Carol Line was scratched.