SHAKOPEE, MN – Some news, notes and observations on the first couple of weeks of racing at Canterbury Park.
Jockey Francisco Arrieta is off to a fast start winning six races out of 19 mounts and over $140,000 in purse earnings. Dean Butler, Eddie Martin Jr and Elvin Gonzalez each have three wins a piece with Gonzalez doing it with only four mounts (his other mount finished 3rd for an in-the-money percentage of 100%).
Mac Robertson is picking up right where he left off last season. He has five wins out of fifteen starters. Joel Bernt, Robertino Diodoro and Mike Biehler each have three wins early in the meet.
You need to be close to win at Canterbury this far this season – sprint or route. There have been 7 routes (mile or more) thus far and five of the winners had the lead at the stretch call. Of the remaining two, one winner was only a head back while only one, Notbutzaboutit, came from third place, 3 1/2 lengths out, at the stretch call. It was not a requirement to be up front early as several horses came from off the pace in the early stages, but all were close up when the real running began.
In the 25 sprints (under one mile), all but five had the lead heading into the stretch. Of the remaining five, all were in second place at the stretch call. Only Somerset Allie closed from as far back as 5 lengths at the 3/8s call.
Lothenbach Stables have won three races of nine starts, the only owner with multiple wins over the first two weekends.
Derby Day attendance was the third highest in Canterbury park history with 20,770 patrons in attendance.
After sitting out opening weekend, claiming activity began in earnest last weekend with six horses changing hands. You can find the Canterbury Claims report here.
Canterbury Park officials announced the hiring of Randy J. Dehmer as Chief Financial Officer. Dehmer returns to Canterbury Park where he was employed from 2007 to 2013, serving as controller from March 2012 to August 2013. Dehmer will be leaving a position as financial controller at Clearfield, Inc. to join Canterbury on May 30, 2019.
Upscale dining has come to Canterbury Park, as it introduces Little Chicago Chophouse, opening Thursday. Modeled after an East Coast steakhouse, the menu offers full cuts of Black Angus beef, fresh seafood, and pastas prepared with locally sourced ingredients. An extensive wine list and unique craft cocktail program accentuate the traditional menu offerings of the dining room. Chef Seth Teiken, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and former executive chef at Pazzaluna Urban Italian Restaurant in St. Paul, will guide Little Chicago Chophouse, serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday as well as family-style brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS NEWS
Sports betting is coming to Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the sports betting bill into law. The IRG will still need to promulgate rules but it is hoped that by the time football season begins in the fall wagers will begin to be accepted. Prairie Meadows has already signed a contract with sports book operator William Hill and has modified the simulcast area on the fourth floor to accommodate sports wagering. Iowa has the jump now on neighboring racing states of Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois.
