Canterbury Park’s request for a 51-day horse racing season in 2026, running Saturday, May 23 through Saturday, Sept. 19, was unanimously approved today by the Minnesota Racing Commission. Racing will be conducted on Thursdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. central and Sundays and holidays at 1 p.m. Additional race dates include Monday, May 25, Friday, July 3 and Wednesdays, July 22 and Sept. 16. Post time for the final week of live racing will be 4 p.m.
The 51-day schedule, similar to the 2025 season, was agreed upon by track management and the Minnesota HBPA which represents thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers.
The approval makes way for the 32nd season of live racing since the Shakopee, Minn. Racetrack reopened after being dark for two years. A meet has been conducted each summer since 1995. The track, previously known as Canterbury Downs, originally opened in 1985 and raced yearly through 1992.
