Judge Denies Request; Canterbury Cancels Racing July 3 and 4

July 2, 2011 - At 2:15 pm Saturday, Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin issued a ruling, denying Canterbury’s request that the Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC) continue to operate during the state shutdown. With no regulatory body in place, Canterbury Park was forced to cancel racing programs for July 3 and 4. Racing on July 1 and 2 had already been canceled due to the state shutdown. The MRC, which is fully funded by the racing industry, oversees gaming at the state’s two racetracks.

“I am extremely disappointed in Judge Gearin’s interpretation and ruling,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “We will seek an expedited appeals process. This is potentially devastating to Minnesota’s racing industry.”

“With no chance for the 1,300 horses stabled on the backside to compete for purse money, the danger is that trainers will begin to take their stables from Minnesota and once they do, they will not return,” Sampson said. “This ruling puts the entire season in jeopardy.”

On Thursday, Canterbury Park distributed notices to more than 1,000 licensed employees indicating they would be placed on a temporary unpaid leave of absence until operations were allowed to resume.

The MRC receives license fees from racetracks as well as all employees and horsemen. They also are paid in advance for expected expenses. No general fund dollars are used to operate the MRC. “The company has paid a license fee, the employees, the horsemen and the vendors have too. The expectation is that the MRC regulate our business,” Sampson said. “The MRC’s expenses for July have already been paid.”

The Fourth of July weekend is important for the company and popular with race fans. The yearly July 3 fireworks display traditionally attracts 12,000 viewers. With the shutdown, the fireworks display will not be held.

“I appreciate the support and patience of the horsemen and our race fans,” Sampson said. “The state shutdown did not need to impact the racing industry and its employees.”

Canterbury Park Temporarily Ceases Operations Due To State Shutdown

Friday, July 1, 2011

Shakopee, MN -- Effective at midnight, Canterbury Park temporarily suspended all of its gaming operations. This action was taken because of the inability of Minnesota’s Governor and Legislature to reach an agreement on the State’s budget. The lack of a budget agreement forced the shutdown of many state government agencies and functions, including the Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC), the agency which regulates Canterbury Park’s pari-mutuel and Card Casino gaming operations.

“I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that we are forced to suspend operations due to the state government shutdown,” Canterbury President Randy Sampson said. “The MRC is entirely funded by the racing industry, receives no money from the general fund, and has already received reimbursement for expected July expenses. However it is still subject to a shutdown,” Sampson said.

“The money is already there, paid by the industry, for the MRC to regulate this business,” Sampson said. “Because of this, 1,000 employees’ lives will be needlessly impacted in a negative way.”

Canterbury Park began distributing notices Thursday to employees indicating they would be placed on a temporary unpaid leave of absence until operations were allowed to resume.

“We are hopeful that this government shutdown is short-lived and that a budget solution will soon be found. However, should the stalemate continue for another week or two, there is the real possibility that owners and trainers will start moving their horses from Canterbury to other racetracks. Once they leave, it is unlikely they will return. If the budget impasse continues beyond early July the impact could be devastating for Canterbury and the horse industry. It is possible that Canterbury and its horsemen could lose the remainder of their racing season,” Sampson said.

The Minnesota Racing Commission, which regulates racing and gaming at Canterbury, is part of the government shutdown. Canterbury offers live racing, full-card simulcasts, and a card casino.