Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, and Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota,
will extend opportunities to host restricted races for Thoroughbreds foaled in
Iowa or Minnesota during this year’s racing season.
This arrangement is beneficial to both racing jurisdictions because it will
allow Minnesota Thoroughbreds to compete at Prairie Meadows in restricted races
written for Iowa Thoroughbreds prior to the start of the Canterbury race meet on
May 17.
Likewise, when the Prairie Meadows Thoroughbred meet concludes in mid-August,
Iowa Thoroughbreds will have an opportunity to run alongside Minnesota
Thoroughbreds in designated race restrictions at Canterbury through
mid-September.
This program is slated to launch with the return of the 67-day Thoroughbred
racing at Prairie Meadows on April 19.
Derron Heldt, Prairie Meadows’ Director of Racing, reports that the two
tracks are currently planning to host restricted races each week during the time
that the other track is not racing Thoroughbreds, and three or four categories
(conditions) of races are currently being considered. The Iowa Horsemen’s
Benevolent and Protective Association, led by Leroy Gessmann, proposed the
concept to the Minnesota HBPA last summer hoping to offer additional racing
opportunities for horses from both states.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Iowa Thoroughbreds to run in restricted
state races beyond mid-August when our season ends at Prairie Meadows, and the
same holds true for Minnesota-bred horses to run, before Canterbury opens, in
state restricted races here in Iowa,” said Deb Leech, President of the Iowa
Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. “We are thrilled that Canterbury
Park and Prairie Meadows were both receptive to this idea and worked with the
Iowa and Minnesota HBPAs to make this happen. Purse structures are comparable,
so this is an attractive option for our breeders and owners. We look forward to
a successful first year of these additional races and building on it for the
future.”
Canterbury’s 69-day racing season begins May 17 and concludes September 14.
“This collaboration presents additional racing opportunities for owners of
Iowa and Minnesota-breds,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “With
the Canterbury meet now extending into mid-September, we are excited to give the
Iowa-bred horses the opportunity to race at Canterbury after the Prairie Meadows
race meet concludes.”
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