Bob Lothenbach's horses dominate in Festival of Champions

Heading into Saturday's Festival of Champions, Bob Lothenbach already had set a pair of Canterbury Park records. His thoroughbreds had won 48 races at the Shakopee track, the most by any stable in a single summer, and broke the season earnings mark with $1.18 million in purses.

Lothenbach had one more thing on his to-do list. The Wayzata resident was hoping for a big night Saturday, and he got it, as his stable dominated Canterbury's annual showcase for Minnesota-bred horses. Lothenbach won five of 12 races on the Festival card, including four of six thoroughbred stakes with purses of $100,000 each.

It's Bobs Business and Midnight Current led the charge, solidifying their status as two of the top horses in Shakopee this summer. It's Bobs Business ran away with the Northern Lights Futurity, sweeping from last to first for a 7 1/4-length victory. The 2-year-old won both of his Canterbury starts by a combined 19 lengths, and he gave Lothenbach his third consecutive Northern Lights crown.

Midnight Current captured the Princess Elaine Distaff Turf in 1 minute, 41.28 seconds, fastest in the history of the 1 1/16th-mile race. She went undefeated in five Canterbury races this season.

The stable's other festival champions were Love the Nest (Crocrock Sprint), Charlie's Penny (Bella Notte Distaff Sprint) and Loring Park ($36,000 turf allowance). A total of $2.45 million was bet on the card, most in festival history.

Lothenbach was vacationing in Mexico on Saturday, calling relatives at the track to keep up with the steady stream of victories. His brother Frank spent much of the evening in the winner's circle, accepting trophies and posing for photos.

"It's been so fun this year, with the success we've had,'' said Frank Lothenbach of Apple Valley. "You want to top it off on a high note. What a fun night.''

In recent years, Bob Lothenbach began breeding more horses in Minnesota, looking to take advantage of increased purses. Trainer Joel Berndt, who oversees Lothenbach's stable, said Lothenbach has more than 50 Minnesota-breds of various ages. He is breeding for quality as well, with a wealth of impressive pedigrees in his stable.

"Several years ago, [Lothenbach's] focus shifted to having more Minnesota-bred horses, and developing them for stakes races,'' Berndt said. "The program is just starting to come to fruition now. And there are a lot of nice young ones in the pipeline.''

Another of Saturday's champions, Stitzy — the gate-to-wire winner of the Blair's Cove Turf — was bred by Lothenbach. Lover Girl, an upset winner in the Northern Lights Debutante, was the only thoroughbred stakes champ that did not have a Lothenbach connection.

Trainer Jason Olmstead won the Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity with Beep Beep Rev Rev and the Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby with Relentless Courage.