Shakopee, Minn. — Canterbury Park racing officials today announced an increase in participation incentives designed to reward owners of thoroughbred racehorses arriving from the most distant locations. Owners of horses that race at Canterbury during the month of May that made their most recent start at a racetrack located more than 1,500 miles from Shakopee, Minn. will receive $1,250, an increase of $250 over the amount announced previously. Owners of horses that race May 18 through May 29 most recently starting at tracks nearer to Canterbury will continue to receive $1,000. These bonuses are in addition to any purse money earned.

The bonus increase is intended to, in part, alleviate the impacts of runaway inflation in the U.S. and fuel prices that have increased more than 40 percent over last year. Canterbury regularly has starters from Golden Gate Fields in California, Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs in Florida and Turf Paradise in Arizona.

The bonuses are made possible with the cooperation of the Minnesota HBPA, the organization which represents race horse owners, trainers and their employees. Announced earlier this year is an additional bonus program designed to encourage participation by owners who raced horses in Illinois. A thoroughbred starter that raced in Illinois in 2021 or 2022 but has not previously started at Canterbury will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus in their first start of the 2022 season through July 17.