Canterbury Park had to adapt to new circumstances last winter, when the Shakopee racetrack and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community failed to renew their purse-enhancement agreement. The end of that 12-year deal left Canterbury with less purse money for this season, leading to a later start date, fewer racing days and the elimination of some stakes races. Despite the changes, Saturday's season opener will have a familiar feel, with many of Canterbury's favorite horses, jockeys and trainers back on track.
The season: 54 days, through Sept. 16. Racing on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with Thursdays added to the schedule from July 13-Aug. 17. Special Monday cards will be held Memorial Day, July 3 and Labor Day.
Post times: 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; 1 p.m. on Sunday, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Special 4 p.m. post time on July 3 and Sept. 9, 13 and 16.
Admission: Saturdays and Sundays, $10 adults/$7 youth ages 6-17; Wednesdays, $5. Children 5 and under are admitted free. There is a $2 discount for tickets purchased online. Reserved tables in the clubhouse and seating in trackside cabanas are available for an additional charge; reserve at canterburypark.com or by calling 952-445-7224.
Opening weekend: The season kicks off with Saturday's nine-race thoroughbred card, featuring the 10,000 Lakes Stakes and the Lady Slipper Stakes for Minnesota-breds. Each of those six-furlong races offers a purse of $50,000 and has attracted some of Canterbury's best and most popular horses.
The Lady Slipper includes Canterbury champions Ready to Runaway, Clickbait and It's Her Time, but the 7-5 morning-line favorite is Charlie's Penny, winner of the $100,000 Minnesota Distaff Sprint last September. Ready to Runaway, whose $533,400 in Canterbury Park earnings is second-most in track history, is the 4-1 second choice.
The 10,000 Lakes is headlined by even-money favorite Doctor Oscar, Canterbury's champion sprinter in 2022; Hot Shot Kid, the track's 2019 horse of the year; and Thealligatorhunter, last season's older horse of the year. A victory by Hot Shot Kid would give him more than $700,000 in career earnings, making him the richest Minnesota-bred in history.
Eight races will be run on Sunday and nine on Monday.
