SHAKOPEE, MN – News and notes from the weekend at Canterbury Park.
The big early news is the handle numbers thus far. Each racing day has exceeded a million dollars in all sources handle despite fewer races per day. Even on Sunday, when a scratch made the opener a four-horse field and attracted just north of $73,000 in wagers, the day closed out with $1,136,789 in handle.
Favorites have won a third of the races so far which is about the norm for most racetracks but the last few years Canterbury has run north of the 40% mark. Five of the 24 winners paid more than $24 to win.
The 10% Pick 5 has rewarded bettors with a few monster payouts. The first pick 5 of the season paid $14,411.45. Even the late pick five opening day returned $3069.20. Opening Day wasn’t the only card with large payouts. The early pick 5 the following Saturday, May 25, paid $15,579.20.
Jockeys Luis Fuentes and Eduardo Gallardo combined to win 11 of the 16 races this weekend.
Trainer Coty Rosin won three races on Sunday, giving him four on the young season and setting him atop the trainers’ standings.
Former jockey Rueben Fuentes won his first race as a trainer at Canterbury Park, talking the opener on Sunday with Suzie’s Darlin’ with Luis aboard.
There has been no further news from St. Paul on sports betting. Without a special session, which is unlikely, the matter will wait until the 2025 session.
This weekend the season continues with post time Saturday at 5 PM and Sunday at noon.
