Canterbury Park’s Racing Season Begins Friday, May 20
Fillies Race for Hope and MN Festival of Champions highlight 62-day meet

Shakopee, MN - May 11, 2011 - The 2011 season at Canterbury Park begins Friday, May 20 with a three-day weekend of thoroughbred racing. Friday’s post time is 7:00 pm while races begin at 1:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday, May 21 program features two $35,000 stakes races for Minnesota-bred horses, the 10,000 Lakes and the Lady Slipper, as well as a simulcast of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of The Triple Crown.

Canterbury Park will offer 62 days of live racing this season, which runs through Labor Day. The popular ‘Buck Night’ promotion, which includes $1 general admission, and beverage and food specials, will be offered when Thursday night racing begins June 16. Fridays feature Minnesota’s Biggest Happy Hour with live music and drink specials. Sundays are Family Day with free pony rides, face painting, and a petting zoo.

“Outdoor sporting events, including horseracing, continue to be very popular with Minnesotans,” company president Randy Sampson said. “The fans came out in record numbers last season and I anticipate that they will again this summer. At Canterbury Park, we have something to offer everyone.” In 2010, Canterbury’s average attendance was 5,858, a new record since the track re-opened in 1995.

The annual Minnesota Festival of Champions on Sept. 4 highlights a stakes schedule worth nearly $1.4 million. New this season is Fillies Race for Hope, a signature charitable event established by the Canterbury Park Minnesota Fund and Minnesota’s racing industry. Proceeds from the July 31 event will benefit The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation. More information is available at www.filliesraceforhope.org

General admission to Canterbury Park is $5, with an additional charge for indoor, reserved seating. General parking is free. For additional information, call the Canterbury Box Office at (952) 445-7224 or visit www.canterburypark.com.

Racing Days and Times
Live Race Dates: May 20 through Labor Day, Sept. 5
Thursdays, June 16 through Aug. 25 - 7:00 pm
Fridays – 7:00 pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays – 1:30 pm
July 3 – Special 4:00 pm post time

Significant Dates
Friday, May 20 – Opening Night
Friday and Saturday, June 10-11 – Blazin’ BBQ Weekend with National BBQ competition and festival
Sunday, July 3 – Fireworks Spectacular presented by Kwik Trip after the races
Sunday, July 17 – Extreme Race Day with camel and ostrich races
Sunday, July 31 – Fillies Race for Hope
Sunday, Sept. 4 – Minnesota Festival of Champions
Monday, Sept. 5 – Final day of live racing