The first condition book for the upcoming Canterbury Park live meet is now online along with other important information for trainers and owners including the stall application due by March 27.
The 65-day meet at the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack begins May 15 and runs through Sept. 12. Purses are anticipated to exceed $14 million, at approximately $225,000 per day, an amount equal to 2019.
Incentives for racing and loans for shipping are detailed online at canterburypark.com/horsemen. Guaranteed purse payments during the entire 2020 season will be tiered by purse level meaning that every starter in all races will be guaranteed the following minimum payments with the intent of providing purse money to cover a greater percentage of the cost to start a horse.
Purse Level Guaranteed Purse Earnings
Up to $14,999 $250
$15,000 – $29,999 $375
$30,000 – $49,999 $600
$50,000 – $99,999 $1,000
$100,000 – $199,999 $2,000
$200,000 & Up $4,000
Additionally, every thoroughbred starter in all overnight races during the first Condition Book, May 15 – May 25, will earn an additional $250 participation bonus in every start, guaranteeing all thoroughbreds a minimum of $500 per start in that time period. This participation incentive will be paid for each start a thoroughbred makes in an overnight race throughout the entirety of Condition Book #1.
Race conditions absent last season will return in 2020.
“We are including hybrid conditions on all non-winners of two lifetime or non-winners of three lifetime races as we tested successfully at the end of the 2018 season,” VP of Racing Andrew Offerman said.
“In open non-winners of two lifetime races, non-winners of three Minnesota-breds will be eligible. In open non-winners of three lifetime races, non-winner of four Minnesota-breds will be eligible. We believe this will provide more opportunities for Minnesota-breds in these categories while giving us a better chance to fill some open race conditions which have become more challenging in recent years.”
Robert Junk will return as director of racing and racing secretary, a position he held previously from 2016 to 2018.
Canterbury Park’s stable area will open April 24 with the main track opening for training April 27, provided mother nature cooperates.
Thursday and Friday racing in 2020 will begin at 6:00 p.m. Saturday post time, which has historically been early afternoon, has been moved to 5 p.m. while Sundays and holiday Mondays will begin at 12:45 p.m. On July 3 and 4 racing will begin at 4 p.m. with fireworks displays to follow the racing program each night. A one-week break in the racing season will allow Canterbury to host the second annual Twin Cities Summer Jam July 23-25, a three-day music festival held in the racetrack infield.
