Another summer of horse racing action breaks from the gate with the arrival of live racing season at Canterbury Park on May 17. The 62-day meet will once again reflect the success of Canterbury Park with purse levels remaining at their 2001 record levels, another healthy complement of horses, both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, and a series of 29 stakes races worth more than $1 million.
The daily purse figures are the continuance of a series of increases begun in 2000 thanks to the success of the Canterbury Card Club. Two years ago the daily purses were slated to average approximately $100,000, a significant increase over the 1999 figures. For 2002, the average daily purses will be more than $120,000. The consistent purse structure has proven attractive to horsemen as Canterbury Park again expects to be at or near stall capacity of 1,600 horses. The influx of horses last year led to a similar influx of new trainers and jockeys, supplementing a well-respected group of returnees. Most of those new faces have returned. "What's especially exciting is seeing the new faces from last year returning for another summer," said President Randy Sampson. "It's a testament to our growth and our product that both horsemen and patrons are willing to return time and again." 바카라사이트 순위
On the track, jockey Derek Bell returns to defend his back-to-back riding titles facing stiff competition from Seth Martinez who finished second to Bell last season and currently stands 7th in the nation with 106 wins riding at Turf Paradise in Phoenix.
Opening weekend will feature a pair of outings for top Minnesota-Bred horses. The 2002 stakes schedule begins Saturday afternoon with the $35,000 - 10,000 Lakes Stakes for top state-bred colts and geldings. Sunday afternoon the fillies and mares take their turn in the $35,000 Lady Slipper stakes featuring two-time defending champion Nidari ridden by Bell.