Racing officials at Canterbury Park propose 65 racing dates for 2021

On Monday, Canterbury Park racing officials submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission for 65 racing dates in 2021. The races would begin on May 18 and extend through Sept. 16.

Future impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may necessitate an amendment to the request, according to a Canterbury Park spokesperson. Horsemen purses are projected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels of about $220,000 a day, a 13% increase over the $195,000 per day in 2020. The meets would feature thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

Canterbury Park’s 2020 race meet was delayed and shortened but resumed on June 10 and ran uninterrupted for 53 days through Sept. 17 with limited spectators.

"We intend to run a more typical 65-day meet in 2021," Vice President of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman said. "We have learned a lot about safely conducting a racing season during very trying circumstances. We will build on that knowledge next season knowing that there may be subsequent changes and alterations to the schedule. However, it is important for the racing industry to understand our intention to run a 65-day meet from mid-May through mid-September."

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A capacity limit of 750 spectators was set for the racetrack in 2020, and track officials moved off the traditional Thursday through Sunday schedule and conducted the races Monday through Thursday evenings. The result was a 116% increase in out-of-state wagering handle, according to Canterbury Park. The request for 2021 is for a Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday schedule with racing on Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 3.

Canterbury’s live racing success has been predicated on live crowds typically averaging more than 6,500 per day, generating food, beverage, handle and admission revenues crucial to supporting a race meet that employs more than 1,00 workers. A vast majority of those numbers were lost in 2020 due to the pandemic.

"We fully understand the severity and serious nature of the ongoing pandemic; however we remain optimistic and are planning a 2021 season for what might be possible," Vice President of Marketing, John Groen, said. "Should venues like Canterbury Park be allowed to safely increase attendance capacity, Sunday afternoon would provide an opportunity to reintroduce popular family promotions tied to live horse racing that we are known for."

Sunday afternoon racing in 2021 would replace Mondays, which produced the weakest results during Canterbury Park’s 2020 season. In past years, promotions such as corgi dog races and fireworks displays have attracted crowds three times larger than the daily average, officials say.

The 2021 schedule also includes a nine-day break to accommodate Twin Cities Summer Jam, a three-day music festival held in the racetrack infield from July 22 to July 24. The event was first held in 2019 but postponed in 2020.

For a full look at the proposed 2021 schedule, click here.