SHAKOPEE, MN – Canterbury Park announced that the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund Thoroughbred Advisory Committee has authorized the addition of $5,000 MBF dollars to each of the six thoroughbred Minnesota Festival of Champions stakes races on Saturday, Sept. 5. The advisory committee also approved adding $2,000 to the two undercard state-bred races that night.  The reason for the largess is due to the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund having a projected underpayment this year based on less-than-anticipated MBF supplements in open company races.

The Northern Lights Futurity and Northern Lights Debutante will now offer purses of $80,000. The Crocrock Sprint, Bella Notte Sprint, Princess Elaine Turf Distaff and Blair’s Cove Turf will each be worth $55,000.

The Minnesota Breeders’ Fund Quarter Horse Advisory Committee also approved purse increases for the Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity and Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby adding $1,000 to the existing $40,000 added purses. Those two Minnesota Festival races will be run Thursday, Sept. 3.

The 2026 Minnesota Thoroughbred Yearling Sale will be held Sunday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. following an afternoon of racing. The sales catalogue containing the 22 consigned yearlings can be found at https://www.canterburypark.com/horse-sale-2026/

While the number of horses consigned to the sale is down from the 33 last year, it is equal to the number offered in 2024.