Canterbury Park has released the 2026 schedule for the Thoroughbred Stakes, spanning 51 days from May 23rd through September 19th. The lineup features 23 stakes and designated allowance races, with total purses amounting to $1.1 million.
The 33rd Minnesota Festival of Champions, celebrating horses bred in the state, will take place on Saturday, September 5th. Another major event, the Northern Stars Turf Festival, is set for Saturday, June 27th and will showcase four turf stakes: the Lady Canterbury, Canterbury Derby, Brooksfields Stakes, and Curtis Sampson Oaks. Notably, the Curtis Sampson Oaks— a one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies—was a $30,000 allowance last year but will be elevated to stakes status this season, offering a $50,000 purse.
In addition, the Victor S. Myers and Francis Genter races, which had run as allowances in 2025 and serve as key preparations for the Minnesota Derby and Minnesota Oaks, will revert to stakes events on July 26th with $50,000 purses. The Minnesota Derby and Oaks themselves, each with $75,000 purses, will be held on August 15th. Meanwhile, the Wally’s Choice and Glitter Star allowances have been shortened from 1 1/16 miles to 7 furlongs.
Vendor applications and the first condition books will be available in the last week of February, maintaining consistency with the 2025 season. The stable area, accommodating up to 1,070 horses, opens May 1st, with the main track available for training starting May 8th.
Canterbury Park is collaborating with the Minnesota Horse Racing Board to cover fees related to the Department of Horse Racing Integrity and Safety, ensuring that racehorse owners will not face these additional regulatory costs in 2026.
For more details about the racing season, stakes races, and stallion applications, visit https://www.canterburypark.com/horsemen/. Race days are primarily Thursdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. Central, with Sunday and holiday races beginning at 1 p.m. Additional race days include Monday, May 25th; Friday, July 3rd; July 22nd; and Wednesday, September 16th.
Originally published by Paulick Report on February 5, 2026.
Fan Take: This announcement signals an exciting and financially robust season ahead, highlighting Canterbury Park’s commitment to growing Minnesota’s thoroughbred racing scene. Enhancing stakes races and easing regulatory burdens shows a clear path toward fostering greater competition and attracting more owners and fans to the sport.
