Shakopee, Minn.  —  Canterbury Park issued the release below today regarding the Glitter Star and Wally’s Choice stakes. The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association was able to obtain sponsorships to help increase purses by $15,000 each.

Purse increases for the Wally’s Choice Stakes and Glitter Star Stakes, both to be run Saturday, Aug. 12, were announced today by the Canterbury Park racing office. Both stakes will now offer $65,000 purses, an increase of $15,000 each. The additional purse money was a result of a sponsorship obtained by the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association with JTR Roofing, Inc. of Lake Elmo, Minn., American Roofing Supply and CertainTeed Corporation.

“JTR Roofing is proud to be a sponsor of these state-bred races and to support the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association,” DanStrohkirch, sales manager for JTR Roofing, Inc., said. “I’ve been involved in horse racing my entire life and have been a promoter of thoroughbred breeding in Minnesota. This sponsorship is a way of giving back to the industry that is so important to our state.” Strohkirch’s father Dennis started a breeding operation in 1983 at his farm in Grant, Minn. and has stood several stallions over the last four decades along with a broodmare band.

Both races are conducted at the distance of the 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Wally’s Choice is restricted to 3-year-old and older Minnesota-bred horses while the Glitter Star is for 3-year-old and older state-bred fillies and mares.

“The MTA appreciates the support of JTR Roofing, American Roofing Supply and CertainTeed,” MTA Executive Director Kay King said. “This is an exciting addition to the purses for these stakes. Breeders and owners work hard to bring horses to this point in their racing careers. It’s great to see them be rewarded by companies that are willing to invest in our Minnesota-bred bred equine industry.”

Aug. 12 is made in Minnesota Night at the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack and will also feature the $100,000 Minnesota Derby and $100,000 Minnesota Oaks for state-breds at a distance of one mile and seventy yards. First post is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT.