Horse racing returns to Canterbury Park

Let the races begin!

Canterbury Park in Shakopee reopened for horse racing on Wednesday.

The track was closed since the middle of March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is taking new safety measures.

Plexiglass barriers are at betting windows and markers are on the ground to keep fans spaced apart. All fans must get their temperatures checked and wear a mask.

The park can hold 20,000 people but, for now, only 250 fans will be allowed in and all must make an online reservation.

"It's exciting," Jeff Maday with Canterbury Park said. "It's stressful. It's a huge relief I know for the racing industry to have a place to run. It's teamwork. It's going to be the customer and the employees and we're keeping each other safe and that's the way it's going to work and that's how we reopen Minnesota and this is a great step."

Canterbury Park hopes to open its card casino next week.