The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance recently granted re-accreditation to Canterbury Park, which will be valid for the next two years.
The Alliance’s purpose is to create a uniform basis of safety and integrity at racetracks all over the country. The NTRA inspection team performed on-site reviews and interviews with track executives, employees, owners, trainers, jockeys and stewards over an extended period of time to assure that all aspects of the Canterbury facility meet their high standards. Canterbury finds itself in elite company among the other tracks that are also currently accredited. While there are only 23 tracks nationwide that meet the rigorous standards, those tracks are responsible for 75% of the nation’s pari-mutuel handle and host 90% of North America’s graded stakes.
Entries were drawn yesterday for Saturday’s races, and Quarter Horses will comprise the first three. There were 25 entered for the 400-yard Gopher State Derby Trials, so it will be split into three fields – two of eight and one of nine 3-year-olds. Trainer Jason Olmstead, last year’s top Q trainer, dominates the entries with nine, three horses in each trial. The 10 fastest horses from the three races combined move on to the final on June 10.
This weekend marks the start of Pepsi Family Day every Sunday at Canterbury Park. This great day at the races has a first post-time of 12:45 PM and features fun family activities like free pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo from 12:30-4 PM.
The fields are taking shape for the Annual Running of the Bulldogs at Canterbury Park on Memorial Day. There will be four trial heats with approximately 12 entrants in each- two trials after the 3rd live horse race and two trials after the 5th live horse race. In order to crown a champion bulldog, the top three finishers from each race will then compete in the Final, which will be run after the 8th live horse race. The Annual Running of the Bulldogs in years past has been a very popular event at Canterbury and this year figures to be no different! Watch video from last year’s event here.
World War II veteran Stan Kowalski will make his annual Memorial Day presentation on Monday following the fourth race. He will be joined by several veterans representing the United States’ Armed Forces.
