Canterbury Park’s 2012 Race Meet Concludes With 5-Day Weekend

’s live meet concludes with a five-day race week beginning tonight at 7 pm. Racing continues Friday at 7 pm and Saturday through Monday at 1:30 pm.

The 19^th annual Minnesota Festival of Champions is Sunday. The Festival of Champions, which began in 1992, is a day of racing restricted to horses bred in Minnesota.

Keewatin Ice, owned by Camelia Casby of Shakopee, is entered in the $50,000 Minnesota Distaff Classic Championship. The 1 1/16 mile race drew a field of seven. Keewatin Ice has won four of nine career starts, including decisive wins in the $35,000 MTA Stallion Auction Lassie Stakes and the $65,000 Minnesota Oaks this season. She will be ridden by Juan Rivera.

The 11-race Festival of Champions program offers more than $400,000 in purse money. Mac Robertson has a comfortable lead in the thoroughbred trainer standings and will win his eighth consecutive training title. The leading jockey will be determined this weekend. Tanner Riggs holds a five-win lead over defending riding leader Dean Butler. 

As the 62-day meet comes to its conclusion, handle and attendance figures offer encouragement for the Shakopee racetrack’s officials.

“Handle, the amount of money bet on the live races, is currently up 4 percent on-track and 14 percent through import from other betting locations out of state,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “The number of horses entered daily, which impacts the handle, has been consistent due to the reached in early June. I anticipate we will see even more horses at Canterbury in 2013 as the available purse money again increases.” 

Canterbury’s average attendance in 2011 was 6,143 and has been trending above that this season.

“Our fan base has been so supportive,” Sampson said. “We also have been successful in attracting new customers to the races. With a strong closing weekend we should see another record set in daily average attendance.”