Shakopee, Minn. — Canterbury Park officials announced today the addition of a 10 percent takeout $.50 Pick 4 wager that will begin with the first race each day during the 65-day meet commencing May 18. Named the ‘Post Time Pick 4’, the wager, which will have the lowest takeout rate in the industry, requires the participant to select in order the winners of four consecutive races, placing the bet before the first race begins. Officials also confirmed that the industry-low 10 percent takeout $.50 Pick 5 will again be offered. Both are traditional wagers distributing the full pool less takeout to bettors selecting the first-place horse in each leg of the wager.“
The pick five has been a success the past two seasons, drawing attention to the Canterbury Park racing product, resulting in additional play outside of the pick five pool,” Sr. Vice President of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman said. Canterbury’s average daily handle increased by 8.4 percent in 2021 following a 110 percent increase during a COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Dollars wagered last year over the 65-day season totaled a record setting $90.9 million. “The extremely low takeout of the Post Time Pick 4 will be popular with the wagering public. It also serves the purpose of calling attention to our start time which falls into a more competitive time slot based on our 2022 calendar,” Offerman said. Canterbury will race on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. central and on Sundays at 1 p.m. through Sept. 17.
The Post Time Pick 4 replaces the 10 percent takeout traditional $1 Pick Six instituted last season. The pick six underperformed expectations, accounting for a mere 0.6 percent of total handle, leading track officials to institute the Post Time Pick 4, a wager more approachable and popular nationally.Approval for Canterbury Park’s 2022 racing officials was granted Thursday by the Minnesota Racing Commission. Robert Junk will return as racing secretary. He also serves as paddock judge. Amber Carlisle will be assistant racing secretary and identifier. Darrin Hall returns as starter. Lisa Beer has been named track superintendent and George Moncrief assistant track superintendent.
