Shakopee, MN — Canterbury Park received approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission on Thursday, November 19 to conduct a 62-day thoroughbred and quarter horse race meet in 2010. The meet, which will mirror the 2009 season, will begin Friday, May 14 and run through Sunday, August 29 with Thursday and Friday post times of 7:00 p.m. and weekend and holiday post times of 1:30 p.m.
The 17th renewal of the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the best race horses bred in the state, will be held on the final day of the meet.
The daily purse structure is expected to remain similar to last season when an average of $127,000 was paid to horsemen.
“We were pleased, in light of the current economic situation, with the 2009 season. Fans continued to turn out and enjoy racing and we are hopeful they will again next season,” said Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. “As we plan our promotional calendar for 2010, we will continue to develop new ideas that will appeal to a broad base and offer value for the entertainment dollar.” Attendance averaged 5,481 in 2009, a record since Canterbury reopened in 1995. The 2010 meet will mark the 25th anniversary of Canterbury, as opening day at the Shakopee track, then called Canterbury Downs, was June 26, 1985.
