(Rochester, MN) – Canterbury Park’s request for a 54-day 2023 thoroughbred and quarter horse racing season, Saturday, May 27 through Saturday, Sept. 16, was unanimously approved today by the Minnesota Racing Commission. Four days of racing per week will be conducted from July 12 through August 20 with racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. central and Sunday at 1 p.m. Three-day weeks will begin and end the season with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday racing. Racing will also be conducted on three Mondays: Memorial Day, July 3 and Labor Day.

The 54-day season and an average daily purse distribution of $220,000 including both thoroughbred and quarter horse purses were agreed upon by track management and the Minnesota HBPA which represents thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers.

“In 2023 we have a schedule that I am confident will be successful based on available purse money and race-ready horses that will be at Canterbury throughout the summer season,” Canterbury Park CEO Randy Sampson said.

“Canterbury Park and the Minnesota HBPA have worked successfully during challenging times to create a racing program that provides opportunities to horse owners and breeders while also becoming increasingly popular with the wagering public,” Sampson said. “We are investing significant dollars in our racing infrastructure including new barns, dormitories to house staff and safety enhancements as we plan for the future of horse racing in Minnesota.”

A new 100-stall barn is under construction while nine smaller barns built in 1985 are scheduled for demolition as the result of a land sale making way for an outdoor amphitheater. Other improvements include a reconfiguring of the training track, construction of a 34-room dormitory and complete replacement of main track and paddock lighting.

The 2023 stakes schedule along with the first condition book will be available in early January. Stall applications will be available in March and are due April 13. The stable area will open for arrivals May 5 with training on the main track and training track beginning May 8.

BEVERLY INVOLVED IN SPILL IN ARIZONA

Jockey Ron Beverly went down hard this afternoon in the second race at Turf Paradise. His mount, First Down Icon, trained by Matthew Fales and owned by Alejandro Ibarra, appeared to break down just past the half way point in the 350-yard Arizona Quarter Horse Association Futurity.

As First Down Icon’s from end went down, Beverly was catapulted over the horse’s head and hit the track hard. It is unclear if he was struck by a trio of horses behind him at the time.

Beverly seen the summer in Shakopee riding quarter horses and made a mark with his work ethic and gregarious personality.

Our thoughts go out to Ron, his family and the connections of First Down Icon. We will provide more updates as we get them.

KYLE GUSTAFSON NAMED MRC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

On December 9, Governor Tim Walk appointed interim director of the Property Tax Division at the Department of Revenue, Kyle Gustafson, as the new Executive Director of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

“I’m grateful to have Kyle Gustafson join our team and step up to this important position,” said Governor Walz. “His leadership in state government and his passion for racing will serve him well as he assumes this new role.” 

“I appreciate the opportunity from the Walz-Flanagan administration to support the Racing Commission’s goals,” said Kyle Gustafson. “I look forward to working with the commissioners and staff to maintain Minnesota’s reputation for integrity and safety in horse racing and to promote the state’s horse racing and breeding industry.” 

Previously, Gustafson was a supervising attorney in the Department of Revenue’s Appeals and Legal Services Division, where he provided legal analysis and assisted with the agency’s legislative and rulemaking efforts.

He began his career in state service as an Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and litigated cases on behalf of the Department of Revenue and Department of Public Safety. Gustafson earned his B.A. from Hamline University and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.