Breeder and owner Pete Mattson achieved a stakes double Saturday night at Canterbury Park, when Thealligatorhunter won the 10,000 Lakes for the second time in his career and Retired Kathy captured the Lady Slipper. The stakes were each worth $50,000 and were restricted to horses bred in Minnesota.
Mattson co-bred and co-owns Thealligatorhunter with the horse’s trainer, Tim Padilla. Thealligatorhunter ($9.40) went right to the front in the 10,000 Lakes run at six furlongs, and after setting fractions of 22.12 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.08 for the half-mile, had more. He went on to cover the distance on a fast, sealed track in 1:10.32.
Constantino Roman was aboard Thealligatorhunter, who won by 3 1/4 lengths over Distorted Pro. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third to Doctor Oscar.
Thealligatorhunter is a son of Overanalyze who has now won 15 of 38 starts for earnings of $505,625. He previously won the 10,000 Lakes in 2022.
The Lady Slipper
Retired Kathy ($9.60) trailed in the early stages of the Lady Slipper, as defending winner Thunders Rocknroll and Carson Bay contested the pace through an opening quarter in 21.79 seconds and a half-mile in 45.06. Retired Kathy advanced on the turn and rallied through the stretch to catch a clear Thunders Rocknroll.
Chad Lindsay was aboard the winner, who covered the distance on a fast, harrowed track in 1:10.60.
Retired Kathy won by a length over Thunders Rocknroll.
David Van Winkle trains Retired Kathy, a daughter of Firing Line who is now 7 for 18 for earnings of $199,095.
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