Average field size and handle show increases
Canterbury Park will conduct its final three days of racing this Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The 54-day season, which began May 18, is the thirtieth since the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack reopened in 1995. Many of the metrics that determine a successful meet have shown gains year over year. Increasing average thoroughbred field size was the focus of the racing department leading up to the season. That goal was accomplished with each race averaging 7.32 starters compared to 6.49 in 2023. The remaining 25 races attracted 255 entries, well about that average.
When field size increases it is expected that handle, the amount of money wagered, will also show gains. Per race handle is up 10 percent entering the final three days with total handle showing a seven percent increase. The racing product was more competitive as well. The wagering favorite has won at a 37 percent rate compared to 47 percent last season.
The total number of races run will show a slight decline, however the average purse paid per race increased three percent.
Racing on Wednesday begins at 5:10 p.m. CT for the eight-race card. Thursday with eight races and Saturday with nine races both begin at 4:10 p.m.
Thoroughbred trainer Mac Robertson has built an insurmountable lead with 42 wins, 13 more than Jose Silva, Jr. Top jockey honor is yet to be determined. Luis Fuentes, leading rider throughout
the meet, has 60 wins with apprentice rider Serafin Carmona four behind and Eduardo Gallardo two behind Carmona. Fuentes has mounts in 17 races, Carmona 24 and Gallardo 22.
Saturday’s feature race is the $40,000 Shakopee Juvenile Overnight Handicap. Seven of the 11 two-year-olds entered in the six furlong race won their most recent start. The 5 to 2 morning line favorite is R N R Audible, one of two trained by Tim Padilla. Padilla also trains Indie Freedom an impressive 8 1/2 length winner in his career debut Aug. 25. Trainer Kevin Eikleberry brings undefeated Don’t Fly Stand By in from Prairie Meadows to again face R N R Audible who he beat by 8 ¾ lengths when they met Aug. 9. Fuentes will ride Hootowl Hoot for trainer Matt Williams. That combination won 16 races together this meet. The Shakopee Juvenile will go as the seventh race at 7:10 p.m.
