Canterbury Park sees bigger fields ahead of opening day
Entries for the first three days of Canterbury Park’s 51-day season were robust as horses, trainers, stable workers and jockeys arrive from across the country.
The 31st season of horse racing at the Shakopee, Minn., track begins Saturday at 6 p.m. EDT with an eight-race program. Seven races are scheduled for both Sunday and Memorial Day Monday beginning at 1 p.m. both days.
A total of 186 horses were entered by 42 trainers for an average field size of 8.46. Last season averaged 7.36 starters per race, a 13% increase over 2023. Field size often dictates handle, and in 2024, handle per race increased by 12 percent.
“Again this year, we had more stall requests for horses than we can hold, which is always an encouraging sign,” senior manager of racing operations Amber Carlisle said. “Additionally, with big fields for opening weekend, we know trainers and horses came here ready to race. The jockey colony this year is large and deep in talent, leaving everyone in anticipation of an exciting and competitive live racing season.”
Perennial leading trainer Mac Robertson has returned with a large stable seeking his 17th title. Robertson is the historical all-time leader in purses earned, wins, win percentage and in-the-money percentage at Canterbury.
Jockey Harry Hernandez won the riding title in 2022 and 2023, his only two seasons at Canterbury, but opted to ride elsewhere last year. Hernandez has returned this spring and is named on 13 mounts Saturday and Sunday.
“I feel happy here, I feel motivated,” Hernandez said. “The people here give me an opportunity. They respect me and I give respect to everyone. This is a great place for me.”
On Monday he will be out of town riding Heroic Move in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile, a $400,000 stakes at Lone Star Park in Texas.
The top two riders from last season, Luis Fuentes and Serafin Carmona, have not returned, leaving a wide-open competition for top jockey. A total of 22 riders have mounts this weekend, including Guillermo Rodriguez, who rides the entire card the first two days and five of the seven races Monday.