Canterbury Park begins its 69-day live racing season Friday at 6:30 p.m. with an eight-race program. Racing continues Saturday and Sunday at 12:45 p.m.
Canterbury officials made an unprecedented announcement in April that takeout, the amount withdrawn from wagers before winners are paid, would be lower than any racetrack in the country, sparking widespread approval from horseplayers nationwide. This reduction in takeout is projected to result in a substantial increase in handle, the sum of money wagered.
“Everything is lining up for a spectacular season of live racing,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “We will have extremely competitive racing for record purses. The takeout reduction will benefit the horseplayers both on track and around the country. We gave the second level of the grandstand a facelift as well. Racing fans will be very pleased with all of these changes and improvements.”
Friday’s program includes the 10,000 Lakes Stakes, a six-furlong sprint restricted to horses that were bred in Minnesota. The seven-horse field includes 2015 Horse of the Meet Hold for More, owned by Dale Schenian of South St. Paul, Minn., and last year’s 10,000 Lakes winner and Champion Sprinter Bourbon County, owned by Scott Rake of Elko, Minn.
The field also includes AP Is Loose, winner of the 2015 Wally’s Choice Minnesota Classic Championship.
Dean Butler, always one of the track’s top riders, rode both Hold for More and Bourbon County last season. As talented as Dean is, he can’t ride two horses in one race. In Friday’s $60,000 feature he rides Hold for More and Alex Canchari picks up the mount on Bourbon County. Learn more here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRjNYI3WXYQ&w=560&h=315]
