Canterbury Park Racing Season

Share News

51-Day Canterbury Park Racing Season in 2025: What Bettors Need to Know

Canterbury Park has submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission for a 51-day Thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing season in 2025. The proposed schedule runs from May 24 to September 20 and reflects a strategic shift aimed at optimizing race days and enhancing opportunities for participants and bettors. 

For fans of offtrack betting and Saratoga betting, this season offers exciting prospects with improved infrastructure and a condensed, action-packed calendar.

A Closer Look at the 2025 Schedule

The proposed schedule includes racing primarily on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Wednesday and Saturday races will begin at 6 p.m. EDT, while Sunday programs will start at 2 p.m. Six special Thursday race dates are planned: July 3, 10, and 24, August 7 and 21, and September 18, all commencing at 6 p.m. The season also incorporates a nine-day mid-July break to accommodate horse welfare and race preparation. 

The 2025 season reduces the number of race days to 51, down from 54 in 2024, starting a week later and concluding a week earlier. This adjustment reflects a strategic decision to balance the horse population and ensure high-quality fields, which contributed to a 13 percent increase in handle and Thoroughbred field sizes during the 2024 season. 

Randy Sampson, president of Canterbury Park, noted that the revised schedule builds on past success and aims to sustain growth in both metrics.

Infrastructure Enhancements and Racing Opportunities

Canterbury Park continues to invest heavily in its facilities, making significant upgrades to its racing and stable infrastructure. A $15 million improvement project, initiated in 2023, is nearing completion and includes new dormitories, a fully replaced lighting system for the main track, and a reconfigured training track. 

Three new barns opened during the 2024 season, accommodating over 300 horses and providing improved safety features such as a new safety rail on the main track and a chute for seven-furlong races.

By May 2025, the park expects to complete additional upgrades, including a 33-pad permanent RV park and newly paved circulation roads around the backside and barn areas. These developments position Canterbury Park as a premier training and racing venue in the Midwest. Sampson emphasized that these changes will make the park one of the safest and most efficient facilities for horsemen and bettors alike.

Anticipation for the 2025 Racing Season

Stall applications for the upcoming season will be available in March, with the stable area opening for arrivals in early May. The first condition book and stakes schedule are expected to be released during the first quarter of 2025. The Minnesota Racing Commission is set to review and approve Canterbury Park’s proposed race dates at its December meeting.

With its improved infrastructure and a carefully curated calendar, Canterbury Park is poised to offer an exciting season for bettors tracking horse racing odds and racing enthusiasts looking for competitive action. The 2025 schedule promises a blend of tradition and innovation, making Canterbury a must-follow venue for the upcoming racing season.