The Canterbury Park backstretch opened today. What will be a weeks-long process of filling the nearly 1,200 stalls began with the arrival of 4 horses trained by Katlin Bedford, completing a two-day journey from New York.
Seven horses for Miguel Silva, last season’s sixth leading trainer, arrived shortly after with another load on the way. Trainer Lynn Rarick wintered at Tampa Bay Downs and a trailer with much of her stable is expected later tonight.
The live racing season begins May 18 and runs through Sept. 28. Entries for opening night will be taken the morning of May 11. Eight races are slated beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Jockey agent Chad Anderson will represent rider Guillermo Rodriguez who is finishing up the meet Saturday at Turf Paradise. Rodriguez will be new to Shakopee this season but should prove popular with the Phoenix contingent. Anderson, of the fabled Nebraska Andersons, is a former jockey, riding from 1989 until 2001, including several seasons at Canterbury where he won seven Minnesota Festival of Champions races and multiple other stakes. He has been an agent at Canterbury and Turf Paradise for several years and most certainly will find a second rider to handle.
