Congrats mare cruises in Distaff Classic S.

Congrats and Roses left little doubt as who was best in Sunday’s $55,000 Glitter Star Minnesota Distaff Classic Championship S., rolling to a front-running, 7 3/4-length victory at Canterbury Park to give the 5-year-old daughter of Congrats her second career stakes win.

Sent off the 6-5 favorite, Congrats and Roses had things her own way from the outset, shaking off an early challenge from Sasha’s Fierce before pulling clear by three lengths after six furlongs in 1:13.24. She was left with no opposition from that point, leaving her foes far behind without any urging from her rider.

Bred and owned by Bruce and Mary Malkerson, Congrats and Roses won this same race a year ago. Overall, she is 5-3-2 in 19 starts, earning $133,807. She is out of the stakes-winning mare Gate Swinger. Gate Swinger had a big day Sunday, as her 4-year-old daughter, a half-sister to Congrats and Roses, won the $55,000 Bella Notte Distaff Sprint on the same card at Canterbury.