SHAKOPEE, MN – After a year hiatus, Robbie Junk will be back at Canterbury Park as racing secretary for the 2020 racing season.  Canterbury has been searching for a new racing secretary since the departure of Matt Crawford after the 2019 live racing meet.

“It was a difficult decision to leave Canterbury Park in 2018 but the opportunity in Phoenix, which is home for me, was a year-round commitment at that time,” Junk said. “I am fortunate that Canterbury and Turf Paradise could make this happen so I can work for both. I am very familiar with the horsemen and the racing staff at Canterbury. I am thrilled to rejoin them and the excitement that live racing offers in Shakopee.”

Junk will come to Shakopee after the live racing season at Turf Paradise and return after the anticipated 65-day meet at Canterbury closes on September 12.

Junk, 58, has been racing secretary at racetracks in New Mexico, including Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs where he directed the running of the All-American Futurity, the richest race in American Quarter Horse racing 13 times.  His first tenure at Canterbury Park was from 2016-18.

“Rob was well liked and did a good job during his first tenure at Canterbury Park, so having him back in the racing secretary’s office is a great fir,” Vice President of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman said. “We saw many positive developments in our racing program under Rob and expect the same with his return.”

Junks hire, as well as the request for 2020 racing dates, are expected to be approved at the December 19 meeting of the Minnesota Racing Commission.