By Mari Ballinger
“What? You don’t like winning money?”
A phrase Alexis Pearson, who sells Kevin Gorg’s Power Play tip sheets, says often as customers come in and out of Canterbury Park.
The recent St. Cloud State college graduate, who majored in Broadcast Journalism and English, has been at Canterbury for four years hawking the sheet. Although, she was a complete rookie upon starting.
“I came here once when I was a little girl so had slim knowledge on horses when I started,” said Pearson. “But, I’ve learned so much these past four years.”
Pearson first met Gorg at a fundraising event at the Children’s Hospital. Gorg took Pearson under his wing, bringing her to Minnesota Wild practices and Canterbury Park horse races. The simple question “do you have a summer job?” asked by Gorg has led Pearson to many unforgettable memories at Canterbury.
“I love the people here,” said Pearson. “Seeing familiar faces, whether that be employees or customers, is what makes this job so much fun.”
When Pearson isn’t at Canterbury, she can be found at various ice arenas. She works as a Color Commentator for the Minnesota Whitecaps and a Radio Network Production Assistant for the Minnesota Wild.
“Alexis is the perfect candidate for this job,” said Gorg. “She is outgoing, hard-working and responsible. This position is all about personality and she definitely has that.”
Gorg started at Canterbury in 2000, spending 10 years as the track analyst. In 2015, Gorg was given the opportunity to start the tip sheet. Jake Mauer, the grandpa of former Minnesota Twins player Joe Mauer, encouraged Gorg to give it a shot. Gorg has always been interested in horse racing so jumped at the opportunity to stay involved. The $2 tip sheets, printed on green paper, can be found on the main floor by the information desk.
So come to Canterbury, buy a tip sheet and bet on some horses. After all, it is the color of money.
