If you’ve never been to the Racebook at Canterbury Park for simulcast horse racing, consider heading out for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup.
There are two main reasons, says Jeff Maday, media relations manager at Canterbury Park.
The biggest purses. The best horses.
“That’s part of the allure,” Maday said. “It brings the best horses from around the world. That was the idea when (the Breeders’ Cup) was founded.”
The 2017 Breeders’ Cup will be held at Del Mar, a historic race track in California, on Nov. 3-4. Formed in 1982 as way to crown the sport’s champion, the event attracts celebrities to its various locales and plenty of media attention. The first championship race in 1984 was a white-knuckle three-way finish.
Horses come from across the globe for the Breeders’ Cup, which caps off the thoroughbred racing season and often factors heavily in the run for Horse of the Year.
Canterbury Park
The action will be shown live in the Racebook at Canterbury Park, where veteran handicappers and novice horseplayers alike can take in the races in comfort.
The Breeders’ Cup often draws a good crowd to Canterbury Park, Maday said. For good reason.
The total prize purse is expected to exceed $26 million.
“The (wagering) pools are huge,” Maday said. “There’s a chance for a life-changing score.”
While the Breeders’ Cup rotates between venues each year, it probably won’t ever make it to Minnesota. It’s held in early November each year, and previous events in Chicago and Toronto were difficult, weather-wise, on the fans, Maday said.
Still, watching in the friendly confines of Canterbury Park’s Racebook isn’t a bad alternative.
“It’s a fun day,” Maday said, “especially if you win.”
Race Days
The Breeders’ Cup is a great time to catch up on horseracing between the end of Canterbury Park’s live racing season and January, which marks the countdown to the Kentucky Derby.
The Clubhouse level will open at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, and 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. The Mezzanine level opens at noon both days. Admission is free.
You can reserve a table now for the Breeders’ Cup, and come out on Friday for Racebook Happy Hour. Food specials will be offered both days.
Need to brush up on your horse-betting skills? Check out our website or grab a program 
in the Racebook for the basics.
If you are a more experienced horseplayer, try entering our World Series Satellite Contest. And we also have a more detailed look at the 2017 Breeders’ Cup.
With more than 500 televisions and plenty of seating, our Racebook ensures you won’t miss a second of the action.
Visit the Breeders’ Cup website for more information and updates as the races approach.
Come Play!
-Kris Janisch
