Be My Friend Refuses to Quit in Lady Canterbury

Be My Friend, a 29-1 shot ridden by Justin Shepherd, captured the $70,000 Lady Canterbury Breeders' Cup Stakes at Canterbury Park when she won a spirited stretch duel on the turf with favored Cat's Cat by a head.

The 7-year-old Iowa-bred mare snapped an eight-race losing streak in the process. Shepherd saved ground with daughter of Lytrump while racing off the pace into the final turn, angled out to reach even terms with Cat's Cat and pacesetting Sound of Gold at the head of the stretch and prevailed through the lane. The final time for the mile on firm going was 1:35 2/5.

Border Blue was third, three-quarters of a length behind.

Trained by Sherri Shepherd for owner Herb Riecken, Be My Friend earned $30,000 for the eighth win in 37 lifetime starts. She has banked $135,352 in her career. She improved to 4-3-1 in 11 starts on the Canterbury grass.

Sound of Gold led through fractions of :23 3/5, :46 and 1:10 before fading to finish fifth.

Be My Friend paid $60, $21.20 and $8.80. Cat's Cat, the 6-5 choice in the field of nine, returned $3.20 and $3. Border Blues was $3.60 to show. The exacta was worth $263.40.

(Chart, Equibase)