Canterbury Park jockey Scott Stevens and Broadway Empire, a gelding based at the Shakopee track, finished sixth in the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap on Saturday's Belmont Stakes undercard.
Broadway Empire broke sharply, and Stevens guided him to the front of the 12-horse field. The two set fractions of 23.01 seconds for the first quarter-mile and a swift 45.70 for the half-mile. But a very tough field caught up with them heading into the stretch of the 1-mile race. 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice defeated Goldencents by a length, with Romansh finishing third.
Broadway Empire will return to Canterbury and could run later this season in the Mystic Lake Mile. His trainer, Robertino Diodoro, is tied with Mac Robertson atop the trainers' standings with nine victories.
RACHEL BLOUNT
