Historical Horse Racing Approved at Canterbury Park

The Minnesota Racing Commission voted Monday to approve historical horse racing at Canterbury Park and Running Aces, according to the Star-Tribune.

The commission was not expected to make a decision at Monday's meeting, however, after more than 3 1/2 hours of discussion it voted 5-1 to approve HHR, effective May 21.

“We are at a critical crossroads,” Commissioner Raymond Dehn told the Star-Tribune. “There is a lot at stake.”

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), which operates Mystic Lake Casino, both spoke against the proposal and could pursue legal action to block HHR. One sports betting bill being discussed at the state legislature, the House version, also would prohibit HHR. The current sports betting bills would allow only the tribes to conduct sports wagering.

Monday's vote would allow 500 HHR terminals at each track. A study commissioned by the tracks estimates that in its second year, HHR would generate $5.9 million for purses, plus money for the state breeders' fund, retired racehorse programs and regulatory costs.

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Fewer ’23 Dates, Cut in Purses Proposed by Canterbury

Despite coming off a record-handle season, Canterbury Park is proposing a 10-day schedule slice and a $45,000 average daily purse cut for 2023.

The reductions were made public this week as the Minnesota track faced a Nov. 15 racing commission deadline to apply for next year's dates at the same time it is trying to extend or renegotiate an expiring agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Since 2012, that deal has provided purse funding in exchange for the track and horsemen not pursuing additional forms of gambling, and it expires Dec. 31.

The 54-date season would begin May 27, the latest start in Canterbury Park history, and end Sept. 16. The track would cut back by hosting just three-day race weeks for the bulk of the season, although parts of July and August would feature four days of racing.

Rachel Blount of the Minneapolis Star Tribune first broke the story, quoting Canterbury's chief executive officer, Randy Sampson.

“At this point, we need to plan for how we will manage the racing season if there isn't an extension,” Sampson told the Tribune. “We would all like to run more days, but I think this is a great compromise. I'm quite optimistic it will work out fine.”

Canterbury handled $97.6 million in 2022 over a 64-day season that paid an average of $245,000 in daily purses.

Mike Cronin, the executive director of the Minnesota Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, told the Tribune that horsemen are attempting to focus on the longer-term future.

“We knew we would have to make some compromises for next year, and Canterbury would have to make some compromises,” Cronin said.

“The hope is that we can navigate this together. All things considered, we're excited about next year, but our real focus has to be on 2024 and beyond.”

The potential lack of a funding agreement isn't the only issue. Racing in general in the Midwest will be shifting for 2023 in ways that could increase competition to Canterbury from other regional tracks.

Ellis Park in Kentucky is racing under new ownership, and although Ellis is scheduled to race essentially its same block of 24 dates next year over the same summer template, new owner Churchill Downs, Inc., is expected to put a renewed emphasis on racing there by strengthening the racing program.

In Illinois, Hawthorne Race Course will return a summer Thoroughbred season to greater Chicago after a one-year absence in the aftermath of the sudden and permanent closure of Arlington International Racecourse by racing Mar. 4-Sept. 4.

And in Nebraska, casino gaming and sports betting at tracks are in the pipeline for 2023, with Legacy Downs (formerly Lincoln Race Course) and Fonner Park both expanding their schedules.

Extensive renovations are also planned for Canterbury, so the later start to the season at least affords extra time to complete a new barn and a new dormitory, plus replace the track's lighting system.

Canterbury's proposed dates must be still approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission in December.

“A lot of tracks around the country are already running three days per week, so the horsemen are used to it,'” Sampson told the Tribune.

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Minnesota Racing Commission Approves 2022 Race Dates For Canterbury Park, Running Aces

The Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”), the State regulatory body for Minnesota horse racing, has approved requests from Canterbury Park and Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack to host live horse racing in 2022.

Pursuant to State of Minnesota rules and statutes, the MRC held a public hearing to receive public testimony and comments regarding the dates proposed by the two racetracks. The hearing began on Dec. 16, 2021 and resumed after a recess on Dec. 28. Both requests were approved.

In 2022, Canterbury Park will have 65 days of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, beginning May 18 and ending Sept. 17. Racing will take place every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Post time will be at 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. From July 18-26 there will be a weeklong break from racing, as Canterbury Park is hosting the Twin Cities Summer Jam concert series, and Sunday, July 3 post time will be at 4:00 p.m. in recognition of Independence Day.

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack plans to host 56 days of live Standardbred racing, from May 15 through Sept. 17. Racing will be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Special out-of-schedule racing is planned on Aug. 3, Sept. 16, and Sept. 17. All post times will be at 7:00 p.m.

At the hearing, the Minnesota Racing Commission also took time to commemorate the individuals lost by the racing community of Minnesota this year.

“The MRC is happy to continue the tradition of honoring those in the industry that we have lost since last December. The horsepeople of Minnesota are the key to this great industry, and we are saddened by the loss of these individuals,” said Steve May, MRC Executive Director.

Those remembered by the MRC include:

  • Jay Corey, Standardbred breeder
  • Ramiro Flores, Track Superintendent at Canterbury Park.
  • Cliff Owens, Standardbred trainer and driver
  • Rodney Pinsky, Standardbred owner and trainer
  • Nat Wess, longtime racing executive at many tracks, including Canterbury Park, and
  • Steve Wiseman, longtime Standardbred owner, trainer, and driver

The Minnesota Racing Commission is responsible for the oversight and regulation of horse racing and card casinos in the state of Minnesota. For questions about licensing for 2022, please contact us by calling 952-496-7950 or by emailing mrclicensing@state.mn.us. For questions about backside opening dates and stall applications, please contact the relevant racetrack.

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Canterbury Park Approved For 65-Day Race Meet In 2022

Canterbury Park's request for a 65-day 2022 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing season, Wednesday, May 18 through Saturday, Sept. 17, was unanimously approved Thursday by the Minnesota Racing Commission. The Shakopee, Minn. racetrack will conduct a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday schedule, with racing also conducted on Monday, July 4.

Post time on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays will be 5:00 p.m. CDT while Sundays and July 4 racing will begin at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 3, racing will begin at 4:00 p.m. The 2022 schedule also includes a nine-day break from July 18 through July 26 to accommodate Twin Cities Summer Jam, an annual multi-day music festival held in the racetrack infield.

In 2021, all-sources wagering reached a record $90.9 million with racing conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, surpassing the $68.4 million record set in 2020 when 53 days of racing were conducted.

Tuesday racing will be replaced with Saturday evening racing programs in the coming season in an effort to build on the on-track success, and maintain the more recent off-track wagering levels, experienced on Sundays in 2021 when crowds returned to pre-pandemic numbers while off-track handle averaged $894,736, nearly triple the 2019 figure. From 2015 through 2019, average daily attendance exceeded 6,500 with heavily promoted days often surpassing 18,000.

Purses are projected to reach $15 million, exceeding $230,000 per day. The 2022 thoroughbred and quarter horse stakes schedules will be announced in early January with stall applications, full details of Canterbury Park's shipping incentive programs and the first condition book available shortly thereafter. The Canterbury Park stable area, which can accommodate more than 1,400 racehorses, will open Wednesday, April 27.

Canterbury Park's 24/7 card casino and simulcast racebook remain open daily. For more information, visit www.canterburypark.com.

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