Canterbury Free Picks for Saturday May 18th Race Card

Canterbury Park has an interesting card to play on Preakness Saturday

Minnesota-breds highlight the action Saturday at Canterbury Park, where a pair of long-standing $50,000 stakes for state-bred sprinters serve as the co-features.

Unfortunately, as is often the case in Minnesota springtime, the weather appears as if it will turn nasty with rain in the forecast and a below average high temp. Bettors might want to prepare for an off track.

Here are thoughts on some of the bigger events on the program, be sure to log-in or register to play the picks.

Canterbury Race 3

#6 Winning Number will likely get overbet off a big speed-rating debut win at Keeneland. Not only does he step up to face older horses here, but this race is the equivalent of an N2X allowance rather than an N1X.

Grade 3-placed stakes winner #3 GOTTA GO (5-2) has the necessary back class to make amends for his debut over this track, in which he broke tardily and rallied far too late. A major threat if he can rate closer.

Canterbury Race 4 $50,000 10,000 Lakes Stakes

#5 MR. JAGERMEISTER (3-5) is the unquestionable star among Minnesota-breds in training. He’s 6-for-7 on the main track at Canterbury, his only setback caused by a high-quality filly you might have heard of named Amy’s Challenge.

While no value in the straight pools, keying Mr. Jagermeister in an Exacta looks the way to play. We’ll try and beat logical second choice #2 Hot Shot Kid in that slot with #4 SPEEDING KID (8-1), who could come on from his allowance-prep second to Hot Shot Kid two weeks ago.

Canterbury Race 5 $50,000 Lady Slipper Stakes

#6 PINUP GIRL (9-2), a troubled third as the favorite in the allowance prep for this, was more or less than dominant figure in this division last summer and can reassert her superiority here at a slightly better price. An encouraging 2-for-2 on off tracks if that factor comes into play.

Canterbury Race 8

#1 WARRIOR BOSS (20-1) should start well below his morning line price, but could still be decent value. He has a decided talent and maturity edge over most of the other main contenders in this N1X allowance for state-breds.

Second at this level following an 8-length debut win, he was later a respectable fourth to Mr. Jagermeister in a stakes before going off form late last summer. Trainer Clay Brinson striking at a 35 percent clip for the season.