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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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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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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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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The Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”) administers the Minnesota Breeders' Fund, which pays awards to the breeders of Minnesota-bred horses who are registered with the MRC. Awards are based on qualified purse earnings during the 2021 racing season. In appreciation of those who contribute to the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota, the Minnesota Breeders' Fund was established in 1983 alongside the MRC and has paid awards every year since.

The 2021 Minnesota Breeders' Fund Awards have now been processed and paid to the earning breeders in the categories of Thoroughbred Breeders' Awards, Thoroughbred Stallion Awards, Quarter Horse Breeders' Awards, Quarter Horse Stallion Awards, and Standardbred Breeders' Awards.

The top-earning Thoroughbred breeder was Bob Lothenbach of Lothenbach Stables, earning nearly $30,000. Twelve other Thoroughbred breeders earned over $10,000 in awards, and a total of over $400,000 was earned between all breeders. Kela Minnesota, LLC topped the Thoroughbred Stallion Awards with almost $20,000 earned in awards. The Minnesota Breeders' Fund paid a total of $53,564 in Stallion Awards. 

Quarter Horse Breeders' Awards winners earned $68,268, with Lunderborg LLC earning the most at nearly $10,000. Darin Meyers, Jessica Meyers, and Dale Borchers received over half of the $1,776 paid out to Quarter Horse Stallion Awards winners for their efforts.  

With respect to the Standardbred Breeders' Fund Awards, Set the Pace Racing LLC topped the earner's list with over $8,000 awarded for horses who raced at Running Aces Casino, Hotel, and Racetrack.   

For 2021, most breeders in each of the categories of Thoroughbred Breeders, Thoroughbred Stallions, Quarter Horse Breeders, and Standardbred Breeders earned at least $1,000. 

Reflecting on the past two years, the Minnesota Racing Commission's Breeders' Fund coordinators Nicole Edstrom and Stephanie Jenson thank all the award recipients.

“I greatly appreciate the commitment and resiliency of our Minnesota breeders and stallion owners – the unwavering support during these historic times is truly incredible,” Edstrom said. “The Minnesota Breeders' Fund is pleased to be able to thank those who have assisted Minnesota agriculture and business via these awards, no matter their location in the United States.” 

For information on participating in the Minnesota Breeders' Fund, contact Nicole Edstrom at nicole.m.edstrom@state.mn.us, visit mnbreedersfund.com, or call the Minnesota Racing Commission at 952-496-7950 during open business hours. 

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Canterbury Park is requesting 65 days of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, to begin on May 18, 2022 and end on Sept. 17, 2022. The proposed calendar asks for racing on every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with all post times except Sundays, special holiday races, and exceptions starting at 5:00 PM.

Running Aces Casino, Hotel, and Racetrack is requesting 56 days of Standardbred harness racing, to run from May 15, 2022, to September 17, 2022. Racing at Running Aces is proposed to take place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday with three event exceptions. All post times are slated to begin at 7:00 PM.

Pursuant to State of Minnesota rules and statutes, the Minnesota Racing Commission will conduct a public hearing to hear testimony, receive comment, and allow witness to the discussions. The Minnesota Racing Commission holds regulatory jurisdiction on live horse racing conducted with pari-mutuel betting in the state of Minnesota.

The public hearing will be on Thursday, December 16, 2021. It will begin promptly at 3:30 PM and be held over Microsoft Teams.

Those wishing to view or participate can contact Chad Peterson at chad.peterson1@state.mn.us or 651-925-3951 during business hours for information on how to join the Microsoft Teams meeting. All persons wishing to comment are encouraged to register beforehand or send written mail and must limit themselves to the subject of the 2022 race day requests. Written comment must be received before Dec. 10, 2021. Those who would like to give written comment can email Chad Peterson or send by mail to:

Minnesota Racing Commission
15201 Zurich St. NE Suite 212
Columbus, MN 55025

About the Minnesota Racing Commission
The Minnesota Racing Commission operates in the public interest to ensure the integrity of horse racing and card playing, to oversee the proper distribution of funds back into the industry, and to provide for the safety and welfare of the human and equine participants. The Commission works to promote the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota in order to provide economic stimulus, offer residents and visitors an exciting entertainment option, and support agriculture and rural agribusiness. Visit mn.gov/mrc for more information.

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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. The 2022 request would replace Tuesdays with Saturday evening racing programs while continuing Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday programs. Racing would begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Sunday afternoon out-of-state wagering in 2021 exceeded company officials' expectations with an average $894,736 in off-track handle, nearly triple the pre-pandemic 2019 figure when the Shakopee, Minn. track last conducted Sunday programs. The success in maintaining wagering levels with the shift to Sundays in 2021 leads to optimism amongst track officials about the possibilities regarding the return of Saturday racing, absent since 2019.

“Canterbury Park has been successful over the past two seasons in drawing the interest of the national horseplayer through running a race schedule focused on the less competitive days of the week and by providing a strong value proposition for the wagering dollar,” company president Randy Sampson said. “In 2022, we plan to continue to offer a strong wagering proposition at opportunistic times in the weekly calendar while making it easier for our passionate on-track fan base to return to the races by adding Saturday evening programs,” Sampson said.

Canterbury first experimented with weeknight-only racing in 2020 when pandemic restrictions caused a delay to the start of the race meet with severe limitations on attendance. National handle soared as a result. Mondays were eliminated last season in favor of Sunday afternoons.

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.

The Minnesota Racing Commission, a nine-member panel appointed by the state's governor tasked with overseeing the integrity and safety of horse racing at Minnesota's two pari-mutuel racetracks, is expected to consider Canterbury's race date request at its December meeting. Minnesota Administrative Rule 7872.0100 requires Canterbury Park to submit its request for 2022 racing dates no later than November 15, 2021.
Canterbury Park's 24/7 card casino and simulcast racebook remain open daily. For more information, visit www.canterburypark.com .

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According to a release from the MRC, “control of all assets, including the Thoroughbred racehorses in Minnesota owned by Jason Dodd Bullard and Empire Racing LLC, have been transferred to a court-appointed receiver.” The order was issued by United States District Judge David S. Doty.

The two-paragraph statement from the MRC continues: “Pursuant to Minnesota Rule 7897.0130, Subpart 4(E), Jason Dodd Bullard may not benefit financially from the racing, training, or caring of horses at a licensed racetrack while serving this suspension. At the direction of the court-appointed Receiver, the horses will be allowed to compete at Canterbury Park while the case is being investigated but all financial gains from horses competing in Minnesota for Empire Racing Stables, LLC will be controlled by the court-appointed Receiver pursuant to the order from Judge Doty.”

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Minnesota-based Empire Racing Stables owner Jason Bullard is among two individuals charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission to stop an alleged Ponzi scheme. According to the complaint, Bullard and his partner, Angela Romero-Bullard, misappropriated investors' money to support other businesses they owned, including their horse racing stable.

Pursuant to the order of United States District Judge David S. Doty, control of all assets, including the Thoroughbred racehorses in Minnesota owned by Jason Dodd Bullard and Empire Racing Stables, LLC, have been transferred to a court-appointed Receiver.

Pursuant to Minnesota Rule 7897.0130, Subpart 4(E), Jason Dodd Bullard may not benefit financially from the racing, training, or caring of horses at a licensed racetrack while serving this suspension.

At the direction of the court-appointed Receiver, the horses will be allowed to compete at Canterbury Park while the case is being investigated but all financial gains from horses competing in Minnesota for Empire Racing Stables, LLC will be controlled by the court-appointed Receiver pursuant to the order from Judge Doty.

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“Having been involved with pari-mutuel racing in Minnesota since 1985 I feel a certain degree of protectiveness toward this industry. I and my fellow Commissioners will always strive to ensure that horse racing in this state continues to be a quality and ethical experience for all participants,” said McArdle, who brings a rich history of involvement in the racing industry in Minnesota, both as a practicing veterinarian and as a racing regulator.

After earning a doctorate in veterinary medicine from The Ohio State University in 1982, Dr. McArdle worked as a regulatory veterinarian in Florida before relocating to Minnesota, serving as the first Chief Commission Veterinarian for the MRC. Dr. McArdle was appointed to the MRC in 1993 and has served as a valuable member of the commission since then.

Dr. McArdle replaces James S. Lane, III, who served on the commission since 2009 and as chair for the past two years.

“I cannot thank Chair Lane enough for his service and leadership of the Minnesota Racing Commission over the past 12 years. He has guided the MRC and the horse racing industry in Minnesota through many challenges with integrity and honor, and he has left the commission in a strong position going forward,” said Executive Director, Steve May.

Governor Walz also announced the reappointment of Commissioners Barbara Colombo and Raymond Dehn to new six-year positions. Commissioner Colombo is a graduate of the William Mitchell School of Law, and she currently serves as a professor and director of the Healthcare Compliance Certification Program at the Mitchell Hamline University School of Law. Commissioner Dehn served Minnesota as a State Legislator for eight years and his community, serving as co-facilitator of the Northside Transportation Network among other honorable community efforts. Commissioner Dehn has also served as president of the American Institute of Architecture Students and has twice served on the National Board of the American Institute of Architects.

About the Minnesota Racing Commission
The Minnesota Racing Commission operates in the public interest to ensure the integrity of horse racing and card playing, to oversee the proper distribution of funds back into the industry, and to provide for the safety and welfare of the human and equine participants. The Commission works to promote the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota in order to provide economic stimulus, offer residents and visitors an exciting entertainment option, and support agriculture and rural agribusiness. Visit www.mrc.state.mn.us for more information.

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