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‘Extreme Day’ at Canterbury Downs brings camels, zebras and more to track

They were racing more than horses recently at Canterbury Downs in suburban Minneapolis.

The Minnesota racetrack held its annual Extreme Day, always one of the fan favorites. Camel, ostrich and zebra races were held though no parimutuel wagering was allowed.

The special day stirred up memories of a similar Fun Day in 2019 at Omaha’s Horsemen’s Park. An estimated 16,000 packed the track that Sunday to watch the seven-race live card and two races that featured ostriches and camels.

Former general manager Mike Newlin called it the biggest crowd he had seen at the track in his four years there.

Jockey Scott Bethke rode Big Bird to victory in the Horsemen’s Park ostrich race. Two jockeys fell off their mounts but there were no claims of “fowl.”

Bethke later won the camel race aboard Cameltariat.

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Memories of Skunktail

Older horses are often fan favorites, but horses 10 and older soon will be banned from competing at Woodbine racetrack in Canada.

On the local front, one of the most notable older horses was Skunktail. Owned and trained by Stanley Mankin, the gelding was named for the stripe in his tail.

Skunktail concluded his 12-year racing career in 2002 with 20 wins and more than $380,000 in earnings — sixth all-time among Nebraska-breds.

While most Thoroughbreds were forbidden from racing past the age of 12 in Nebraska, the state racing commission granted an exemption for Skunktail. He raced through his 13th year, still competing in allowance events.

Baffert is back

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Friday that the suspension of trainer Bob Baffert from racetracks owned and operated by the company is rescinded effective immediately.

The decision was detailed in a statement from CEO Bill Carstanjen:

“We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward. All parties agree it is time to bring this chapter to a close and focus on the future.”

That decision followed this statement from Baffert:

“I accept responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive test in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. I am responsible for any substance found in the horses that I train, and I have paid a very steep price with a three-year suspension and the disqualification of Medina’s Spirit’s performance.”

Mystik Dan still out

Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan, who ran in all three Triple Crown races, probably will skip the Travers Stakes at New York’s Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 24.

The Goldencents colt has been on trainer Kenny McPeek’s farm in Kentucky before resuming serious training.

Mystik Dan ran in six stakes races over the first half of 2024 after three late-season races in 2023. After winning the Derby, he finished second in the Preakness and eighth in the Belmont Stakes.

Wilson sets record

Emma-Jayne Wilson recently surpassed Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone for all-time purse earnings by a female rider.

Wilson won a race at Woodbine to move past Krone, who had career earnings of more than $90 million.

Krone sent Wilson a video message, congratulating her on the achievement.

Rich Strike update

One of the best horse racing stories in recent years — Rich Strike’s upset victory in the 2022 Kentucky Derby — continues to get ugly.

Trainer Eric Reed resigned more than a year ago citing a demand from owner Rick Dawson. He wasn’t happy that Reed was involved in a documentary about the horse.

Dawson recently came out on social media criticizing Reed for putting the documentary over the welfare of Rich Strike last year, adding the trainer hid injuries that had been ongoing for months.

The horse was claimed out of a $30,000 race at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs in 2021 and went on to win the Derby the next year, paying $163.60 to win.

Gemologist dies at 15

Gemologist, a Grade 1 stakes winner who ran in the 2012 Kentucky Derby, has died in Korea at age 15.

The son of Tiznow had resided there since 2021 after starting his stud career in Kentucky in 2013.

He won the Wood Memorial in 2012 before finishing 16th in the Derby.

Delivering the mail

One colt to watch in the upcoming Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga could be Pony Express.

Trained by John Sadler, the colt is coming off a dominating effort in a maiden race at California’s Sana Anita. Pony Express led wire to wire and drew off to win by nine lengths.

The colt was a $500,000 purchase at the Keeneland Yearling Sale and has improved with each race as distances have increased.

The Jim Dandy will be contested over nine furlongs July 27.

Trainer is suspended

The Horse Racing Integrity & Welfare Unit has issued an eight-year suspension and $100,000 fine to trainer Joseph Taylor after two of his horses tested positive for banned substances.

Both races took place in June of 2023 at Parx Racetrack in Pennsylvania.

Taylor was the leading trainer at the track in 2019, winning 103 races in 467 starts.

Derby entrant for sale

Smile Happy, a multiple graded stakes winner who raced in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, has been retired and is available for adoption.

The 5-year-old gelding finished his career with four wins in 12 starts over four racing seasons. He earned slightly more than $1 million for owner Lucky Seven Stable and trainer Kenny McPeek.

Smile Happy faded to finish eighth in the Derby under jockey Corey Lanerie. He didn’t race again as a 3-year-old after suffering a bone bruise in the Run for the Roses.