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Five-Day Race Week at Canterbury Park Begins July 3

Fireworks light up the Shakopee sky following races July 3 and 4

Canterbury Park kicks off a five-day week of racing that begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 with two stakes races and a fireworks display following the11th race, and concludes Sunday, July 7 with 10 quarter horse races including seven stakes, with a 12:45 p.m. first post. The Independence Day program, also beginning at 4 p.m., features a pair of Minnesota-bred 3-year-old sprint stakes and another fireworks presentation when racing concludes that evening. Friday’s program begins at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s at 12:45 p.m.

The July 3 fireworks spectacular and racing program have long been a fan favorite, last year attracting more than 21,000 onlookers. Track officials hope to capitalize on that popularity, and also provide an additional option for those looking to celebrate the holiday, by adding a fireworks display on July 4 that will equal the July 3 show.

General admission for adults on July 3 and 4 is $9 and $7 July 5 through 7. Children 17 and younger are admitted free all days and parking is free.

On Wednesday, the co-featured Minnesota Turf Distaff and Minnesota Turf Stakes will run as races nine and 10. Both offer $50,000 purses at a distance of 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass course. The Distaff Turf, for Minnesota-bred fillies and mares, drew a field of eight including morning line favorite Honey’s Sox Appeal owned by Bob Lindgren of Prior Lake. The Minnesota Turf, for state-bred colts and geldings, is headed by A P Is Loose, the all-time leading money earner in the history of Canterbury. The 8-year-old, owned and bred by Joel Zamzow of Duluth, has won 12 of 36 starts and earned $461,038 at the Shakopee racetrack.

Thursday’s $50,000 Victor S. Myers Stakes is restricted to Minnesota-bred 3-year-olds. Dame Plate, a multiple stakes winner as a 2-year-old, has drawn the rail in the seven-horse field. He is trained by Francisco Bravo and will be ridden by Jareth Loveberry.  The $50,000 Frances Genter Stakes, also Thursday, attracted six fillies including the 2018 Northern Lights Debutante winner Dangerous Wave, who will make her first start of the 2019 season.