ROCHESTER, MN – The Iowa and Minnesota HBPAs have sent updates to their memberships today on the possible opening of Prairie Meadows and Canterbury Park. Here are texts of each organizations’ statements.

IOWA

IA HBPA Members,

Governor Kim Reynolds held her daily briefing and has pronounced that there will be NO changes in 22 counties, Polk county being one of the 22 that will NOT change, till May 15. Meaning a continuation of all proclamations she has given that were originally in effect till April 30th, now go to May 15.

In the other 77 counties, she is allowing for restaurants, gyms, and places of worship to reopen at 50% capacity. HOWEVER, even in those 77 counties with the phased in approach, casinos are still not allowed to reopen to the general public.

With that, we as the IA HBPA continue to engage Prairie Meadows and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to try and see what possibilities are available to open the backside and allow horsemen to come in and continue training.

At this time, we do not have a firm commitment to a date.

As before, we will post updates that are confirmed and factually based.

We hope to have news as soon as possible, and are still planning at this time to hold a race meet this year.

MINNESOTA

Update: It is now expected that the decision by the State of Minnesota acting upon Canterbury Park’s request to open its stable area will likely be made later this week. This decision-making timetable, as well as Turf Paradise announcing its stable area could remain open until as late as May 10th, makes it wise, for track and horsemen planning purposes, to revise the opening date of the Canterbury Park stable area from May 4th to May 8th. Please note that nothing else materially has changed from last week. As soon as we receive word from the State of Minnesota, we will post the information here.