SHAKOPEE, MN – In a statement from the Minnesota Racing Commission it was announced that steward Dave Smith resigned his position after the final race on Sunday for health reasons.

The Commission’s Executive Director, Tom DiPasquale, acting under his statutory authority announced the temporary appointment of Canterbury’s current Paddock Judge and Stall Superintendent Larry Fontenot as the third steward through Sunday, August 14.  Fontenot is an accredited steward.

The statement went on to announce the nomination of Dr. Jennifer Durenberger to serve as steward.  Her appointment would become effective after confirmation at the MRC meeting on August 17.

Durenberger has previously served as Director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Association Steward at Delta Downs, a commission veterinarian in California and Minnesota and was an executive board member of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.  She is an accredited steward.