Canterbury Park

With $900 in fines issued last Friday alone, the Canterbury Park stewards are backing up a new Minnesota Racing Commission ultimatum warning that licensees will pay the price for not adhering to newly strengthened protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Six grooms were docked $100 each July 17 for not wearing a wristband that signifies they passed a required health screening. Three jockeys had their wallets lightened by the same amount for not properly wearing protective masks during the July 14 program: Julio Felix and Roimes Chirinos for removing...

The Week in Review, by Bill Finley There was no word Sunday from the camp of Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) regarding where their mare would run next and what the long-term goals are for the season. But we know this much: Midnight Bisou is outstanding, her connections took on males once, in the Saudi Cup, and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic is a lot bigger deal than the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Does that add up to her starting in the Classic? Fans of this sport can only hope that...

Both branches of the Minnesota Legislature have now passed a bill that aims to help Canterbury Park and Running Aces open spectator-free Thoroughbred and harness meets. The chief change in the statute, if signed by the governor, will allow the two tracks to operate card clubs even if they race fewer than the required 50 dates per year in 2020 and 2021 if the racing commission deems there are "circumstances beyond the licensee's control," like the current COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives 97-34 on Friday...

Canterbury Park has furloughed approximately 850 employees as a result of their temporary closure due to the coronavirus, and has subjected key personnel to salary reductions, according to a statement from the Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Wednesday. "Since suspending all operations at Canterbury Park on March 16, 2020, we have acted aggressively to preserve cash by reducing our operating expenses, suspending or delaying our 2020 planned capital expenditures, and suspending our quarterly cash dividend," said Randy Sampson, Canterbury Park President and CEO. "The additional actions we are implementing today are...

Canterbury Park has teamed up with the Minnesota Racehorse Engagement Project (MNREP) to introduce a new version of their successful club platform for 2020. The new club will offer fans the opportunity to experience the pleasure, prestige, and emotional rewards of owning a racehorse, while assisting horses transitioning from the track into new careers. The cost of membership is $199. All net profits from the club will be going to support local equine organizations, including This Old Horse, University of Minnesota, Crookston Equine Science Program and Acres of Life. "Our...

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association will host its annual MTA Yearling Sale Sunday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. at Canterbury Park's Expo Center in Shakopee, Minnesota. The catalogue may be found online here. Sire power at the sale includes yearlings by Mucho Macho Man, Sky Mesa, Liaison, Big Blue Kitten, Street Sense, Tapiture, Temple City, Firing Line, Commissioner, Hard Spun, Revolutionary, and other established and young commercial sires. The 50 yearlings will be stabled in the receiving barn at Canterbury Park, beginning Saturday, Sept. 7. Previews will be held in the...

Canterbury Park in Minnesota has emerged as the latest track to take a stab at wooing Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). According to Eric Halstrom, Canterbury's vice president of racing operations, track management is considering completely overhauling and raising the purse of an existing non-graded stakes race by a factor of 10 to lure America's most sought-after horse. Halstrom said the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby at one mile on the turf Aug. 29 would be moved to 1 1/8 miles on the dirt for a purse of...