07/03/2012 7:02PM

Canterbury Park cancels holiday card due to heat wave

By Ted Grevelis
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SHAKOPEE, Minn. – With the temperatures expected to reach triple digits and a heat index expected to hit 114 degrees on July 4, officials at Canterbury Park has canceled its holiday card and rescheduled the day's events for Saturday.

“The health of both our equine and human athletes as well as our race fans is always our primary concern," said Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. "After consulting with chief state veterinarian Dr. Lynn Hovda, we have determined it is in everyone’s best interests to cancel tomorrow’s races.”

All of the scheduled races, including the $75,000 Northbound Pride Oaks, will be redrawn on Thursday, July 5.    

All Fourth of July festivities, including wiener dog races, a hot dog eating contest, and free hot dogs for all patrons, will take place on Saturday. 

Harshad Trivedi More than 1 year ago
Wednesday July 5th will fall in 2017 !
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
Frankel Ready for next Assignment in Sussex The Frankel camp says the UK champion is in fine fettle ahead of his next start in the Group I Sussex Stakes (1m) at Goodwood on August 1. Analysts declared Frankel took his career to a new level with his 11-length win in the Group I Queen Anne Stakes (1m) on the opening day of the Royal Ascot carnival, which was the stallion's 11th win from as many starts. The British Horseracing Authority handicappers handed Frankel a rating of 140 for his Queen Anne Stakes win, which is only one pound below Dancing Brave's 1986 record. Teddy Grimthorpe, the racing manager for Frankel's owner Khalid Abdullah, told Sky Sports News the four-year-old has recovered well from his Ascot romp. "Frankel is in very good form," he said. "He came back from Ascot in great nick - bouncing, eating, and kicking. "I think (trainer) Henry (Cecil) was really happy with him after Ascot and we want him to come out of a race like that." Grimthorpe confirmed the Sussex Stakes would be Frankel's final run at a mile before the superstar steps up to 10 furlongs in the Juddmonte International on August 22 at York; and if he handles the 1 1/4 in flying colors, the 1 1/2 Arc de Triomphe on October 7 is his next endeavor. Stay tuned!!!
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
Will they reschedule the races in the weeks to come, though, when the weather permits? The season as short as it is, they ought to do everything to compensate the horsemen and their owners by rescheduling the cancelled card in the weeks to come--say, on a Wednesday when there isn't any racing cards are scheduled. With the new purse enhancement just took effect it's not fair to everybody involved in this racing venue to just forget about it. Canterbury should do more and do it sooner than later.
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
If Canterbury goes the way of east coast tracks, Belmont being an example, where the attitude is a "Me, Me, Me" mentality then racing at this venue will suffer and royalty among horsemen and racing enthusiasts will start to wane. I would hate to see Canterbury follows those tracks where bottom line is all they care about.
Jack More than 1 year ago
they are making up the missed day. stop being a crybaby..
W.G. More than 1 year ago
Probably best for all involved. Even going at night this past weekend, Churchill Downs saw a lot of horses under-perform over the weekend that probably was heat-related even with the later start allowing racing to take place under less-intense sun. As for making up the program, I would do it next Wednesday night, especially given next Wednesday is the day after the all-star game, one of the slowest days of the year in all of sports.