The Minnesota Racing Commission today approved Canterbury Park’s request for 69 racing dates in 2016.  The Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet will run from May 20 through September 17.

The racing schedule will be similar to 2015 with Thursday and Friday first post at 6:30pm while Saturdays and Sundays will kick off at 12:45pm.  As in 2015, the track will run evening racing on Saturdays in August when post time will be 6:30pm.

“We anticipate that our 2016 meet, which will stretch into the middle of September, will provide the highest-quality racing product in the history of Canterbury Park,” Vice President of Racing Operations Eric Halstrom said.  “The off-season interest from horsemen around the country is an indicator that we will continue our ascent nationally and help bring racing in Minnesota to the next level.”

Newly appointed racing secretary Robert Junk will release the stakes schedule and the highly anticipated 2016 purse structure in January.  2016 will mark the last year of increases in the agreement between the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Canterbury Park before leveling off for the last five years of the agreement.  The 2015 purse structure was a record for the Shakopee oval.