We are at the halfway point of the 2026 Canterbury Park live racing season having completed 24 of the 51 dates. Here is a look inside-the-numbers- at what has transpired on the race track so far. The following statistics are for thoroughbred races only.
The Odds:
As we have discussed in previous articles, the percentage of winning favorites has been increasing nationally over the years, from an historical average of 33% three decades ago, to the current 40% in 2026.
Favorites are winning 46% of the thoroughbred races at Canterbury Park so far in 2026. This is six percentage points higher than the national average, and four percentage points above the first half results in the 2025 Canterbury meet. Formful scenarios have been the rule so far this season at Canterbury Park. Smaller field sizes are one likely factor, as the average field size this meet is hovering around 5.57 horses per race.
Historically, turf racing at Canterbury Park has yielded a lower percentage of winning favorites than races on the main track. This is holding true this year, as favorites on the turf are winning at a 33% rate compared to 55% winning favorites on the dirt. The general rule of thumb that favorites win more often on the main track than on the turf should hold true for the remainder of the meet. The strongest category for winning favorites is the maiden claiming races, where the favorites are winning 64% of the time (9/14).
Regarding extreme longshots, there has been only one 20-1 and up winner so far this year, Shankapotamus, who won a turf allowance race on June 7 at 20-1 odds, paying $42.20. The winning trainer was Stacey Rushton and Kelsi Harr was the rider. Big longshots are elusive at Canterbury Park, as 102 horses have gone to post at greater than 20-1 odds with only 1 winning.
The Jockeys:
Looking at the top ten jockeys in the standings, Manuel Americano holds an 8-win lead over Constantino Roman at the halfway point with 38 wins compared to 30 for Roman. This is Americano’s
first season riding at Canterbury Park, and he has lived up to expectations. However, the leading rider is heavily backed at the windows. From an ROI perspective, Americano is returning $0.83 for every dollar wagered on his horses. The All-Star performer for best return-on-investment (ROI) was Constantino Roman. Roman is currently second in the standings as stated earlier, and he is returning $0.93 for every dollar wagered on his mounts. He rode winners for trainers Joel Berndt, Mike Biehler, Martin Escobar, Edgar Espinoza, Esteban Martinez, Manny Ortiz, Sr., Tim Padilla, Lynn Rarick, Hugo Rodriguez, Stacey Rushton and Jose Silva, Jr.
The lack of longshot winners this meet has made it difficult for jockeys to generate strong ROI numbers.
The Trainers:
Canterbury Hall of Fame trainer Mac Robertson currently holds a slim lead in the trainer standings with 25 wins so far this season from 94 starters compared to Jose Silva, Jr., in second with 23 wins from 75 starts. Robertson is doing pretty well from an ROI perspective considering what a known commodity he is, returning $0.88 per dollar invested on his runners this year.
The top trainer from an ROI perspective during the first half was Stacey Rushton, with a record of 7 wins from 30 starters and an ROI of $1.88 per dollar wagered. Rushton was the trainer of 20-1 winner Shankapotamus, propelling him to a very strong ROI over the first half of the meet.
Rushton finished the first half saddling three consecutive winners at prices of $17, $9.20 and $5. He used six different riders to win the seven races: Jermaine Bridgmohan, Roman, Eddie Gallardo, John Jude, Alonso Quinonez and Harr who had two wins.
Summary:
That’s a brief look at how the favorites fared and who the top jockeys and trainers were over the first half of the Canterbury Park live meet from an ROI perspective. Good luck in the second half of the meet! As always, good luck when playing the 10% takeout Pick 5 wagers at Canterbury Park.
Racing resumes Wednesday, July 22 with the second-half of the season referred to by many as The Championship Meet.
Facts and Figs
Largest Win Payout: $42.20 – Shankapotamus (6/7 race 5)
Largest Pick 3 Payout: $721.20 (5/23 race 6)
Largest Pick 4 Payout: $1,041.20 (7/9 race 8)
Largest Pick 5 Payout $4,685.55 (6/25 race 8)
Largest Exacta: $245.00 (6/18 race 4)
Largest Superfecta: $625.14 (6/18 race 4)
Fastest Six Furlongs: 1:09.15 Street Warrior (6/6)
Fastest Mile on Turf: 1:33.83 Tonka Warrior (7/12)
provided by The Oracle.
Header photograph courtesy of Steve Shaw
