Canterbury receives safety approval from NTRA

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance has accredited Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., the site of the Claiming Crown series of races on July 24.

Canterbury is the 18th racing facility to receive accreditation from the alliance, which was formed late in 2008 to address public-perception concerns about injuries in the sport. Participation in the accreditation process, which includes on-site inspections and interviews, is voluntary.

Mike Ziegler, the executive director of the alliance, said in a statement that Canterbury Park “exceeded prescribed benchmarks in many examined categories” and also received several ratings for employing “best practices” as identified by the alliance. The alliance scores tracks on their adherence to policies in 18 categories, including veterinary practices, drug testing, and use of safety equipment.