Trainer Robertson Sends Out 1,000th Winner

Thunder and Honey won the seventh race at Canterbury Park June 18 and provided trainer Mac Robertson his 1,000th victory.

Robert Lindgren's 5-year-old daughter of Thunder Gulch tracked the early pace before pressing the issue in the far turn while going three-wide. Under firm handling by Alex Canchari, she won by a neck as the 2-1 second wagering choice and finished the one-mile optional claiming event in 1:39.77 on a fast track to give Robertson the milestone victory. 

Robertson, son of trainer Hugh Robertson, has sent out more than 4,400 starters that have earned purses totaling $23,536,216 since he saddled his first runner in 1994. His record includes 97 stakes wins and three graded wins: the 2011 Oaklawn Handicap and 2009 Rebel Stakes (both gr. II) with Win Willy, and Bryan's Jewel in the 2013 Obeah (gr. III) at Delaware Park.

Robertson's first career victory came at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, Neb., in his first year training. He saddled only 72 starters under his name through 2004, often overseeing a division of his father stable instead.

In 2005 Robertson made a name for himself at Canterbury, winning the first of nine consecutive training titles. He was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame in 2011 and is the all-time leader in purse earnings at the Shakopee, Minn., racetrack.

"I've had good teachers," Robertson said. "Jim Robertson, Bun Colvin. I worked for my dad for 10 years. My dad has won more than 1,000 races, and now I've done it. It says we're doing something right."

Robertson currently leads the Canterbury standings by earnings with $304,520 and is second by wins with 13.