Canterbury Park Plans Another Long Season

Canterbury Park’s 69-day racing season in 2013 was its longest since 2006, but the track is set for an equally long season in 2014.

The Minnesota Racing Commission on Monday a 69-day thoroughbred and quarter horse race meet that will run May 16 through Sept. 13.

Total purses in 2013 were nearly double what they were in 2011 thanks to a a cooperative marketing and purse enhancement agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, owners and operators of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

The additional racing days also brought in more money for Canterbury Park. For the first time since 1991, Canterbury’s 1,600 stall stable area was at capacity. Thoroughbred breeding in Minnesota increased 170 percent after reaching a historic low in 2012. The money wagered on Canterbury’s races was up 16 percent.

“Racing in Minnesota took a big step forward,” a news release quoted Eric Halstrom, Canterbury Park vice president of racing operations. “I expect the industry to make additional gains in 2014 as horsemen and racing fans around the country take notice.”