SHAKOPEE, MN – Canterbury Park is gearing up for the opening of the racing season this Saturday evening. Post time for opening night is 5:00 PM. The holiday weekend will be filled with racing action with Sunday and Monday start times of 1:00 PM.

Once again, the state of Minnesota has failed to act on any legislative action that would positively affect the state’s two racetracks. There was barely any discussion on a sports wagering bill this session and only a cursory nod to the tracks on in state ADW wagering.

Representative Brad Tabke introduced legislation that would allow Minnesota residents to wager on racing at Canterbury and Running Aces from their advanced deposit wagering accounts. That bill was only given a marginal hearing for the legislature to say they “listened.” It is clear to anyone that watched the hearing there was never any intention of moving this bill forward.

One aspect of horse racing betting that the legislature clearly does not understand is that if a horse player in Bemidji can’t wager on Canterbury Park or Running Aces, where the tracks will get a cut of the action, they will go ahead and wager on a different racetrack shutting out the locals entirely. A horse player is not going to shrug their shoulders and decide to run to the local casino just to get some action. It’s a completely different customer base and one that is being shut out of their local market, harming in state business to the benefit of out of state businesses.

There were several personnel changes at Canterbury Park during the offseason. Senior Manager of Racing Amber Carlisle and starter Oscar Quiroz both left for Horseshoe Indiana while track superintendent Javier Barajas left for Ellis Park.

Jesse Sherwood was named head starter earlier this year to replace the popular Quiroz. Sherwood’s career working on the starting gate began in 2008 at Canterbury where he spent four seasons as an assistant starter. He has been head starter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans the past two seasons. 

George Moncrief, currently track superintendent at Sunland Park and Zia Park in New Mexico, will replace Barajas. Moncrief ran the racetrack maintenance crew at Canterbury Park in 2015 and 2016. He held various positions on the track crew since his return in 2019 and has been assistant superintendent to Barajas since 2023. 

Several familiar names make up the jockey colony, including Luis Fuentes, leading rider in 2024. He was not at Canterbury last year and will make his first start since being sidelined with an injury in New Mexico in November 2025. Eduardo Gallardo, Kelsey Harr, Fausto DaSilva, Betty Jo Williams, Alonso Quinonez and Constantino Roman are among the returning riders.

Manuel Americano will ride at Canterbury for the first time. He won the riding title at the recently concluded race meet at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. Americano will have a very active opening weekend with mounts in all 21 races this weekend. Multiple stakes winning jockey Jose Requelme and apprentice rider Victor Lara are also riding at Canterbury for the first time. 

A total of 133 horses were entered for the weekend by 24 trainers for an average field size of 6.33. This is down from 8.46 and 42 trainers opening weekend 2025.  Last year’s leading trainer Jose Silva is back as is Canterbury Park Hall of Famer Mac Robertson, both with large contingents.

Major stakes days for the season include:

• Saturday, June 27 Northern Stars Turf Festival with four turf stakes headlined by the $50,000 Lady Canterbury Stakes;
• Sunday, July 26 The traditional preps for the Minnesota Derby and Minnesota Oaks, the Victor S. Myers Stakes and Frances Genter Stakes;
• Saturday, August 15  Minnesota Derby and Oaks; 
• Saturday, September 5 The 33rd Minnesota Festival of Champions.

The wagering menu will remain the same and will again include a 50-cent traditional Pick 5 with a 10 percent takeout, the lowest in North American racing. Last season’s highest paying Pick 5 was $41,265.90 on a 50-cent wager.

“We’re excited to kick off our 2026 meet this weekend with three days of racing. We have a great summer planned both on and off the racetrack with competitive racing and family friendly events,” general manager John Groen said. “It’s been a long wait since last season ended and we are happy to see our horsepersons arriving at Canterbury over the past few weeks. We can’t wait to welcome back our large crowds and loyal fans when the gates open Saturday.”