Canterbury Moves Two Stakes To Thursday As Shutdown Looms - Thursday first race now scheduled for 6:30 pm

Shakopee, MN - June 28, 2011 - With a July 1 state shutdown threatening operations, Canterbury Park will run two stakes races on Thursday night that had originally been scheduled for the weekend. Because a 12-race card is planned and must be complete prior to a possible state shutdown at midnight, Thursday’s races will begin at 6:30 pm.

The $64,000 Grade 3 Northlands Quarter Horse Futurity had been scheduled for July 2 but will be run as the 11th race Thursday. It will be followed by the $25,050 Canterbury Park Quarter Horse Derby originally planned for July 4.

The Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC), the regulatory body that oversees gaming at the state’s two racetracks, would shut its doors at midnight July 1 if the state does shut down. With no regulatory body in place, Canterbury would not be allowed to conduct business as usual, putting more than 1,000 employees in temporary jeopardy. 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.

“With the uncertainty of the situation and the necessity to run these races, we have decided this is the best option for the trainers, jockeys and horses involved,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. Many of the riders must make travel arrangements and the horses have engagements in the coming weeks that would not allow for the two stakes races to be run later.