Claiming Crown

Canterbury Park's biggest day of racing in 2009 will be held July 25th. Top jockey's from around the country including Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, and Russell Baze will be riding for over $750,000 in purse money.

Thoroughbred racing in Minnesota has continually grown over the past decade since the Sampson family inherited a track that drowned it debt when it intially opened. They have revived a sport and an American pasttime in Shakopee, Minnesota and the fact that we are witness to top racing this day is a miracle in itself. With other tracks throughout the country struggling to survive the support of other forms of gaming are the lifeblood to the industry in just about every state.

Canterbury Park's Card Club offers all of the traditional poker games including: Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud. They have a Casino Games Room with Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Fortune Pai-Gow and more. What they really need are the support of slot machines. The Sampson family has put their time and effort into the industry in Minnesota. They have rebuilt a multi-million dollar indsutry in this state and until the economic downfall last Summer had been in the black just about every season. They have continued and continued to give back to the people of Minnesota who spend a lot of time and money at their racetrack and deserve the option of having slot machines. Many tracks have changed legislation over the past few years allowing slot machines for purse support. Iowa's thoroughbred track Prairie Meadows survives with slot machines and takes away a lot of the quality horses that Canterbury deserves.

With the addition of Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, Minnesota it will most likely be even tougher on Canterbury moving forward in the next few years. The racing industry was barely surviving with a lone track and now with two times are going to get tougher. Although, they may race different breeds, they are still competing for business.

It is tough realizing that a Company now owned by completely by a financial group (MTR Gaming is out, Southwest Casino Corp of Bloomington is out) can help an industry grow like Canterbury Park has. The Minnesota Racing Commission will most likely approve slot machines for both tracks when and if the state decides to change its gaming laws. The only problem I see coming out of this would be the fact that Running Aces has not helped the economy of Minnesota and without local owners I don't know if it could ever benefit the state beyond another form of entertainment.

Put simply, I would like to formally thank the Sampson family for bringing my favorite sport and racetrack into the limelight one day out of the year. Without any help for our state officials it is going to be tough making it last. For Canterbury Park the Claiming Crown probably does not generate a ton of money, but it sure does satisfy all of the local horse racing fans who want to see top racing back in Minnesota.

I really hope the people of Minnesota and the state officials one day give you a chance to compete flourish.

NOTES:

1. Wouldn't it be awesome to see CPHC buy out North Metro Harness Intiative, LLC and make it a single company entity in the state of Minnesota. They could alternate seasons and wouldn't have to fight each other for business. If the state would approve slot machines wouldn't it be nice to see both places owned by a local company. SUPPORT IT, URGE IT, LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN