Canterbury Park
A Minnesota horse-racing, card-casino, and entertainment venue operator.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Canterbury Park is a horse-racing and entertainment venue in Shakopee, Minnesota, operated by Canterbury Park Holding Corporation. Its principal business is live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing, together with parimutuel wagering on races conducted at its own track and on races simulcast from tracks outside Minnesota. The property also operates the Canterbury Park Card Casino, which is regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission and offers poker and table games including blackjack, baccarat, and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em. The venue generates additional revenue from admissions, parking, concessions, programs, dining, and special events. Its entertainment calendar has extended beyond racing to include poker tournaments, concerts, community events, and novelty races such as corgi and dachshund competitions. The annual Fall Poker Classic is a recurring tournament series, while the facility has also hosted large-scale events such as the Twin Cities Summer Jam. The track originated after Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting parimutuel wagering in 1982. Walter Brooks Fields Jr., his nephew Brooks Hauser, and other investors formed Minnesota Racetrack Inc. and received Minnesota's first racetrack license. The Shakopee facility opened as Canterbury Downs on June 26, 1985. Early operations included thoroughbred racing, an experimental harness-racing program, and the 1986 Breeders' Crown event. The business faced pressure from the Minnesota Lottery and the expansion of casino gaming at Native American-operated properties. Those conditions contributed to results below the original projections and eventually led to a sale to Ladbroke Racing in 1990. Ladbroke renamed the property New Canterbury Downs, but the track closed in December 1992 after a particularly weak live-racing season. Irwin L. Jacobs acquired the venue in late 1993 and soon sold it to Curtis and Randy Sampson. The Sampsons restored the facility's financial position by restarting simulcasting and later returned live racing to Minnesota. In January 1995, the property adopted the Canterbury Park name. Minnesota legislation authorized a card room at Canterbury Park in 1999. The arrangement allowed poker tables at the track and was connected to broader changes affecting gaming at Minnesota tribal casinos. In 2011, Canterbury Park temporarily closed during a statewide government shutdown; a court rejected an effort by the owners to reopen before the shutdown ended, and the facility resumed operations on July 20, 2011. A major commercial relationship began in 2012, when Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, operator of Mystic Lake Casino, announced a 10-year cooperative marketing and purse-enhancement agreement. The agreement supported Minnesota horse racing and added substantial funding to horsemen's purses, but it expired on December 31, 2022, without renewal. Canterbury Park has also pursued development of approximately 140 acres of underused land around the racetrack through the Canterbury Commons concept. The company has described the project as a mixed-use development effort pursued directly and through joint ventures, intended to expand the value and uses of the broader property rather than relying solely on racing and gaming. In April 2024, the Minnesota Racing Commission approved Historic Horse Racing, but that approval was subsequently overturned by the State of Minnesota. The company remains an active regional racing and entertainment operator, with its business shaped by Minnesota gaming regulation, competition from casinos, changing wagering habits, and efforts to develop its surrounding real estate.
History
Canterbury Park traces its origins to Minnesota's 1982 constitutional amendment authorizing parimutuel wagering on horse racing. Walter Brooks Fields Jr., his nephew Brooks Hauser, and other investors formed Minnesota Racetrack Inc. and secured the state's first racetrack license, with Santa Anita identified as a principal partner. The resulting facility in Shakopee held its first race on June 26, 1985, under the name Canterbury Downs. The early track offered thoroughbred racing and briefly experimented with harness racing during the 1986 season. It also hosted the 1986 Breeders' Crown. In its first years, the operation attempted to establish a sustainable racing business in a market affected by the arrival of the Minnesota Lottery and the rapid growth of casino gaming at Native American-operated facilities. Revenue and attendance repeatedly fell short of expectations, and the property was sold in 1990 to Ladbroke Racing PLC. Ladbroke renamed the track New Canterbury Downs. The business experienced a severe decline in attendance during the 1992 live-racing season and closed in December of that year. Irwin L. Jacobs acquired the property in late 1993 and then sold it to Curtis and Randy Sampson. The Sampsons focused first on restoring operations through simulcasting and improving the venue's financial position. They subsequently fulfilled a commitment to bring live horse racing back to Minnesota. In January 1995, the track formally changed its name to Canterbury Park. The Minnesota legislature authorized a card room at the venue in 1999. Canterbury Park thereafter operated a card casino under the oversight of the Minnesota Racing Commission, adding poker and other permitted table games to its racing and wagering business. The casino operates continuously and has offered games such as blackjack, baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, and poker. Canterbury Park expanded its role as an entertainment venue through poker tournaments, dining, concessions, simulcast wagering, and special events. Its recurring Fall Poker Classic became a notable tournament series. The track also staged novelty dog races, including corgi and dachshund races and the Running of the Bulldogs. The venue hosted the Claiming Crown for 10 of its first 12 years, through 2010. In 2012, it introduced the Mystic Lake Derby, whose inaugural running offered the track's largest purse since 1991; Hammers Terror won the one-mile turf race in 1:37.18. The property was affected by the Minnesota state government shutdown in 2011. Canterbury Park's owners sought judicial relief, but Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin rejected the request to reopen during the shutdown. The track reopened on July 20, once the shutdown ended. In June 2012, Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which owns and operates Mystic Lake Casino, announced a 10-year cooperative marketing and purse-enhancement agreement. The arrangement supported racing promotion and horsemen's purses, but it was not renewed after expiring on December 31, 2022. In addition to operating the racetrack and card casino, Canterbury Park has pursued the Canterbury Commons concept for roughly 140 acres of underused land surrounding the track. The company has considered mixed-use development opportunities both independently and through joint ventures. The initiative represents an attempt to diversify the property's economic base and increase shareholder value through real estate. During the 2023 racing season, racing director Chris Merz announced that Canterbury would eliminate the run-up distance between the starting gate and the point at which official timing begins. The proposed change was presented as a transparency measure and as an effort to improve the wagering product amid the emergence of sports betting. Merz resigned roughly two weeks later, and the track indicated that the proposal would be reconsidered. In April 2024, the Minnesota Racing Commission approved Historic Horse Racing, but the approval was later overturned by the State of Minnesota. Canterbury Park continues to operate as a regional racing, gaming, entertainment, and development business.
- 2024
Historic Horse Racing approval overturned
[1]The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Historic Horse Racing, but the approval was later overturned by the State of Minnesota.
- 2023
Race run-up policy reconsidered
[1]The proposed elimination of the run-up distance was reconsidered after racing director Chris Merz resigned.
- 2022
Purse-enhancement agreement expires
[1]The cooperative marketing and purse-enhancement agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community expired on December 31 and was not renewed.
- 2019
Twin Cities Summer Jam
[1]The racetrack property hosted the Twin Cities Summer Jam entertainment event.
- 2012
Mystic Lake agreement and inaugural Mystic Lake Derby
[1]Canterbury Park entered a 10-year cooperative agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and staged the first Mystic Lake Derby.
- 2011
Operations interrupted by state shutdown
[1]The venue closed during the Minnesota government shutdown and reopened on July 20 after the shutdown ended.
- 2010
Claiming Crown hosting period ends
[1]Canterbury Park had hosted the Claiming Crown for 10 of its first 12 years through 2010.
- 1999
Card room authorized
[1]Minnesota legislation authorized a card room with poker tables at Canterbury Park.
- 1995
Canterbury Downs becomes Canterbury Park
[1]After ownership changes and a simulcasting-led revival, the property returned to live racing and officially adopted the Canterbury Park name.
- 1992
Track closes after weak live-racing season
[1]New Canterbury Downs closed in December after a major drop in attendance during the live-racing season.
Products and positioning
A regional Minnesota destination combining horse racing, regulated card-room gaming, wagering, dining, and event entertainment.
Horse racing · 1985
Live Thoroughbred Racing
Canterbury Park's core offering is live thoroughbred racing at its Shakopee facility. The race meet supports on-site attendance, wagering, hospitality, concessions, and related racing services. The track has also staged signature races and hosted the Claiming Crown during a substantial portion of that event's early history.
Horse racing
Quarter-Horse Racing
The venue hosts live quarter-horse racing in addition to thoroughbred racing. This broadens the track's racing calendar and provides a distinct class of competition for horsemen, participants, and racing bettors.
Wagering · 1985
Parimutuel and Simulcast Wagering
Canterbury Park accepts parimutuel wagers on races held at its own facility and on races from out-of-state tracks that are simulcast to the property. This service extends wagering beyond the local live-racing schedule and is a central part of the venue's operating model.
Card casino · 1999
Canterbury Park Card Casino
The card casino operates around the clock under Minnesota Racing Commission regulation. Its listed games include poker, blackjack, baccarat, and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em. The card room was enabled by Minnesota legislation enacted in 1999 and complements the property's racing and entertainment activities.
Poker tournament
Fall Poker Classic
The Fall Poker Classic is a recurring two-week series of poker tournaments held each fall at Canterbury Park. It provides a dedicated tournament product alongside the casino's regular card-room operations and helps position the venue as a broader gaming destination.
Mixed-use real-estate development
Canterbury Commons
Canterbury Commons is the company's development concept for approximately 140 acres of underutilized land surrounding the racetrack. Canterbury Park has pursued mixed-use opportunities directly and through joint ventures, seeking to diversify the property and enhance its shareholder value.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Twin Cities Summer Jam
Minnesota · United States
Canterbury Park served as the site for Twin Cities Summer Jam, extending the property’s role from a racing venue to a large-scale music and entertainment destination.
Outcome. The event was held at the Canterbury Park property; further performance or commercial results are not specified in the reference material.
- 2012Canterbury Park–Mystic Lake cooperative marketing and purse enhancement
Minnesota · United States
Canterbury Park partnered with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, operator of Mystic Lake Casino, on a 10-year cooperative marketing and horsemen's purse-enhancement arrangement.
Outcome. The agreement supported promotion of Minnesota racing and increased purse funding, but it expired on December 31, 2022, without renewal.
Brand decisions
2024
Historic Horse Racing approval and reversalOtherBackground
Historic Horse Racing was considered within Minnesota's regulated racing and gaming framework.
Action taken
The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Historic Horse Racing in April 2024.
Aftermath
The State of Minnesota later overturned the approval.
2023
Proposal to eliminate race run-up distanceStrategyBackground
Canterbury Park said the distance between the starting gate and the point at which official race timing begins could reduce transparency for bettors. The issue gained prominence as sports betting expanded in the United States.
Action taken
Racing director Chris Merz announced that the track would eliminate the run-up. After Merz resigned approximately two weeks later, a track spokesman said the decision would be reconsidered.
Aftermath
The reference material does not establish whether the run-up was ultimately removed.
Recent events
- 2024
Historic Horse Racing approval overturned in Minnesota[1]
Regulation
The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Historic Horse Racing in April, but the approval was later overturned by the State of Minnesota.
- 2023
Canterbury Park considers eliminating race run-up[1]
Product generation · Leadership change
Near the end of the 2023 meet, racing director Chris Merz announced a plan to remove the run-up distance before official race timing began, citing transparency and wagering-product considerations. After Merz resigned, a track spokesman said the change would be reconsidered.
- 2019
Canterbury Park hosts Twin Cities Summer Jam[1]
Campaign · Other
The racetrack property served as the venue for the Twin Cities Summer Jam music and entertainment event.
- 2012
Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake announce cooperative racing agreement[1]
M&A · Other
Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announced a 10-year cooperative marketing and purse-enhancement agreement supporting Minnesota horse racing.
- 2011
Canterbury Park reopens after Minnesota government shutdown[1]
Regulation · Other
The racetrack resumed operations on July 20 after the Minnesota state government shutdown ended. A court had rejected the owners' attempt to reopen during the shutdown.
Sources5 sources
- 1Canterbury Parken.wikipedia.org
- 2Canterbury Park official websitecanterburypark.com
- 3Canterbury Park appoints new Directorseturbonews.com
- 4Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Announces First Quarter 2020 Financial Resultsprnewswire.com
- 5Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2019prnewswire.com
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