Canterbury cancels Saturday card as it awaits judge's decision on racing commission

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Canterbury Park has canceled its Saturday card due to the ongoing shutdown of the Minnesota state government. This is the second consecutive race card that has been cancelled due to the budget impasse.

Although track representatives argued their case for continued operation through the shutdown in Ramsey County District Court on Friday, a decision has not yet been issued by Judge Kathleen Gearin.

Canterbury’s position is that since the Minnesota Racing Commission is entirely funded by the racing industry, receives no money from the general fund, and has already been reimbursed for expected July expenses, the track should be allowed to continue to operate during the shutdown.

As Friday wore on, however, a decision needed to be made whether or not to run the Saturday races.

“Our horsemen need time to prepare their horses to race and the uncertainty of when the judge might rule has forced us to cancel a second day of racing at Canterbury Park,” track president Randy Sampson said.

A decision on the July 3 and 4 racing programs will be made by Canterbury Park tomorrow.