Canterbury Park has officially proposed a revised schedule for its 2025 thoroughbred and quarter horse racing season, requesting a 51-day meet, a reduction from the 54 days allocated in 2024.
The track disclosed this proposal in a statement released Wednesday, notifying that the request has been submitted to the Minnesota Racing Commission. This commission will deliberate on the proposal during its upcoming meeting in December.
If approved, the racing season is set to unfold from May 24 through September 20, featuring most events on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Racing will commence at 5 p.m. on both Wednesdays and Saturdays, while Sunday events are scheduled to start earlier at 1 p.m. Notably, Thursday racing is slated for six specific dates: July 3, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, and September 18, all beginning at 5 p.m.
An intentional pause in the racing calendar is also part of the proposal, with a nine-day hiatus from July 14 to July 22. This new schedule would initiate a week later than the 2024 season and wrap up a week ahead.
“We have proposed a calendar that works well for our horse population and offers multiple opportunities to enter and race,” expressed Randy Sampson, the president of Canterbury Park. “We look to build on the success of last season with continued handle and field size growth.”
The 2024 meet notably boasted a remarkable 13 percent increase in betting handle, coupled with a similar rise in thoroughbred field size compared to 2023. However, it’s important to highlight that Canterbury Park continues to face challenges stemming from the expiration of a decade-long agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in December 2022. This has resulted in a significant contraction of Canterbury’s purse fund in 2023 and a subsequent decline in betting interest, primarily due to smaller race fields.
**What changes can fans expect in the 2025 racing season at Canterbury Park?**
**Interview with Canterbury Park Racing Director**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, [Alex Reed’s Name], to discuss the newly proposed racing season schedule at Canterbury Park.
**Alex Reed**: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share the updates with our racing community.
**Editor**: Canterbury Park officially proposed a revised schedule for its 2025 racing season, which includes a reduction to a 51-day meet from the 54 days in 2024. Can you tell us what prompted this decision?
**Alex Reed**: Absolutely. Following our experience with the 2024 season, we evaluated various factors including attendance numbers, operational costs, and the overall racing calendar. We believe that a 51-day meet will allow us to focus on quality over quantity, ensuring that we offer exceptional racing experiences while managing our resources more effectively.
**Editor**: What are some of the anticipated benefits of this revised schedule for both the racetrack and the horsemen involved?
**Alex Reed**: By reducing the number of racing days, we can enhance our marketing efforts and promote larger fields in the races we do host. This should lead to more competitive races, which benefits the horsemen as they will have the chance to showcase their best horses. Additionally, it allows us to streamline our operations, hopefully improving the overall experience for our patrons.
**Editor**: With this change, can fans expect any new events or modifications to the racing calendar?
**Alex Reed**: Yes, we are looking at some exciting additions! We’re considering more themed race days and special events throughout the season to create engaging experiences for our fans. While we’re reducing the number of days, our goal is to make each day memorable.
**Editor**: Moving forward, what steps does Canterbury Park need to take before this proposal is finalized?
**Alex Reed**: The proposal will be submitted to the relevant regulatory bodies for approval. We’ll also be gathering feedback from our stakeholders, including horsemen, trainers, and of course our loyal fans. Their insights are invaluable as we finalize the schedule.
**Editor**: Thank you, [Alex Reed’s Name], for sharing your insights about the future of racing at Canterbury Park. We look forward to seeing how the 2025 season unfolds!
**Alex Reed**: Thank you! We’re eager to bring our community a thrilling racing season ahead.
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