In 2012, Canterbury Park will offer a new racing series designed to promote the hard-knocking horse that make up the typical race card. The series of sprints for $3,500 claiming horses will culminate with championship races for each sex offering a $25,000 purse. To compete in the $25,000 championships, horses must earn points by racing in at least two of the three qualifying sprints beginning June 14.
“The Claiming Series will appeal to stables racing in this region and offers a championship purse that will generate a lot of interest,” Racing Secretary Doug Schoepf said.
The 2012 Claiming Series is presented by Continental Diamond and will consist of six weeks of qualifying races and two championship races. All claiming series races will be run on Thursday nights with the hope that fans will enjoy watching some of the same horses week in and week out.
“We are extremely proud of our Thursday night racing,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “In 2011, attendance averaged 6,690 on Thursdays and I believe this claiming series will allow our young and energetic crowd to more closely identify with some of the horses that make their way to Canterbury this summer.”
For more information, visit www.canterburypark.com
