Canterbury adds new $150,000 stakes

Canterbury Park's purses have increased by approximately 35 percent following

Wednesday's approval by the Minnesota Racing Commission of a cooperative

marketing and purse enhancement agreement between Canterbury Park and the

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). The purse structure will be

enhanced by $2.6 million this season and approximately $75 million total over

the next 10 years according to the terms of the agreement. The agreement also

provides $8.5 million in joint marketing funds that will be used to

cross-promote Canterbury Park and SMSC's Mystic Lake Casino, located less than

four miles from the Shakopee, Minnesota, racetrack.

"We're excited about this new alliance with Canterbury Park and the

opportunity to further establish the Minneapolis and St. Paul southwest metro

area as the premier entertainment and gaming destination in Minnesota and the

Midwest," Mystic Lake Casino President/CEO Edward Stevenson said.

When the enhancements are fully implemented, Canterbury's purses will have

more than doubled.

"I am thrilled by this agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux

Community and the opportunities it presents for racing and breeding in

Minnesota," Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. "The larger purses

combined with our horsemen-friendly attitude will make Canterbury Park a very

attractive place to race now and in the future."

Sampson also announced Friday that July 28 will mark the first running of the

$150,000 Mystic Lake Derby. The race, restricted to three-year-olds, will be run

at one mile on the turf course.

The overnight and stakes purse increases will be paid retroactively to

opening day. Stakes purses will increase this season by $412,000.

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