Matt Crawford has been hired by Canterbury Park and will oversee the Shakopee, Minn. horse track’s thoroughbred and quarter horse racing program as its Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. Crawford, who will begin his Canterbury duties this April, is currently Manager of Racing Operations and Racing Secretary for Penn Gaming at Zia Park in New Mexico and Racing Secretary at Sam Houston Race Park in Texas. Canterbury Park’s 25th racing season will run 66 days, May 3 through Sept. 14, 2019.
Crawford, 61, began his career in horse racing in 1976 as an assistant trainer. Four years later, the Texas native took on his own stable, training both quarter horses and thoroughbreds, for more than a decade. In addition to his current roles, he has been racing secretary at Delta Downs and Hialeah Park, and assistant racing secretary at Fair Grounds, Lone Star Park, and Louisiana Downs.
“Matt brings a wide range of racing knowledge to Canterbury Park, including a great deal of experience as a horseman,” Canterbury Park Senior Director of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman said. “He has proven success working in close partnership with horsemen, writing races and filling fields. Canterbury’s racing program is on the rise and with Matt running the racing office, we will continue that trend.”
The 2019 stakes schedule and condition book will be complete in January with stall applications due mid-March. The stable area will open for training mid-April.
“I’ve always been an admirer of Canterbury Park and the way they run things,” Crawford said. “I am glad to be a part of it.”
