L Conejo, under jockey Fernando Fonseca-Soto, surges to victory in the $29,000 North Star State Derby Wednesday evening at Canterbury Park.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

Shakopee, MN–June 11, 2025–L Conejo delivered a determined performance Wednesday night at Canterbury Park to win the $29,000 North Star State Derby in a thrilling close finish.

The 3-year-old Minnesota-bred gelding, trained and owned by Haley Hobbs and ridden by Fernando Fonseca-Soto, surged late to edge out Jjs Sweet and Sassy by a head, stopping the clock at 20.083 seconds, a 95 speed index for the 400-yard dash on a fast track.

"[L Conejo] has gotten more mature," Fonseca-Soto said. "Last year he was not focused. I think he will keep getting better."

Bred by Jaqueline Moreno, L Conejo is a son of One Sweet Jess out of Bunny Run Now, by I Want It Now.

Breaking sharply from post three, the sorrel gelding tracked the leader closely before making a determined rally in the final yards to claim the winner’s share of the purse, worth $13,594, boosting his bankroll to $42,863.

Holy The winning connections of L Conejo accept the North Star State Derby stakes trophy Wednesday at Canterbury Park. © Coady Media

"He’s been running 400 yards and been doing really good," Hobbs said. "He’s super calm, easy to train, loves his job."

Runner-up Jjs Sweet and Sassy, the betting favorite, was valiant in defeat. The filly broke quickest from the gate under champion jockey James Flores and held the lead through much of the race. The sorrel filly was also second in the North Star State Futurity last season.

Bred and owned by Jerry Oxner, Tyler Stein trains the daughter of champion stallion One Valiant Hero, She is out of April Is Special by One Sweet Jess was "game" along the inside before being caught at the wire. She earned $5,135 for the runner-up effort, pushing her earnings mark to $35,570.

Closing late to grab third was Eos Keep Dreamin, a filly by leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Too Much by Walk Thru Fire. Bred and owned by Corey Wilmes, the filly is trained by Ed Hardy and was piloted by Angel Ramirez. Despite a step-slow break, she closed well to finish 1¼ lengths behind the winner and collected $3,021. Making her first start since winning the Minnesota Futurity last August, Eos Keep Dreamin has earned $36,148.

Among the also-rans was Relentless Deal, Dashing Avery, Shes Hell Bent, Da Lie Lah, and Thirty Four Belowk.

The race, open to registered Minnesota-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses, was contested under cloudy skies with a tailwind at 70 degrees. All but two starters broke cleanly. The North Star State Derby included contributions from the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund and MQHRA, with a total purse of $29,000.

The North Star State Derby offered a showcase for the region’s homebred talent, and L Conejo’s game performance highlighted a rising star in Minnesota Quarter Horse racing.

Handle on the nine-race card was $1,204,322. Racing at Canterbury Park resumes Saturday at 5 pm (CDT).

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