Signature Stakes Series

Don't miss some of our most exciting Stakes Races all season long!

June 22: Northern Stars Turf Festival
July 13: Hall of Fame Day
August 10: Made in Minnesota Day
August 31: Festival of Champions

Coming up next is Northern Stars Turf Festival! Check out Races, Purses, & exclusive Entertainment Information below.

Saturday, June 22
Our Signature Stakes Series kicks off with a special night of Live Racing on the turf!

Five turf stakes including the Lady Canterbury Stakes, the first race ever run on the Canterbury turf course in 1986. Also on the program are the Curtis Sampson Oaks, Canterbury Derby, Brooks Fields Mile and Dark Star Turf Sprint.

For the past three seasons, this night of racing has offered big fields and the largest single-day betting handle.

Curt Sampson Oaks 3yo f 1 mile turf $40,000
Dark Star Turf Sprint 3 & up 5 furlongs turf $40,000
Lady Canterbury Stakes 3 & up f/m 1 mile turf $50,000
Brooks Fields Mile 3 & up 1 mile turf $50,000
Canterbury Derby 3yo 1 mile turf $50,00

Saturday, July 13
Our Signature Stakes Series continues as we reveal our 2024 HOF Inductees.
Celebrate the history of Minnesota racing on Hall of Fame Night. The program includes five stakes races including the Minnesota Turf Distaff, Ralph Strangis Stakes, Frances Genter Stakes, Victor Myers Stakes and the inaugural Mr. Dale Filly and Mare Turf Sprint. The newest Canterbury Hall of Fame members will be honored as well as a tribute to Hall of fame horse Heliskier.

Mr. Dale Filly & Mare Turf Sprint 3 & up f/m 5 furlongs turf $40,000
Ralph Strangis 3 & up / MN 7.5 turf $40,000 7/13/2024
Minnesota Turf Distaff 3 & up f/m / MN 7.5 turf $40,000
Victor S. Myers 3yo / MN 6 furlongs $40,000
Frances Genter 3yo f / MN 6 furlongs $40,00

Saturday, August 10
The best Minnesota-bred 3-year-olds face off in the Minnesota Derby and Minnesota Oaks .
The Oaks and Derby have been won by some of the best horses in Canterbury history starting with Blair’s Cove in the 1986 Derby, Hot Shot Kid in 2017 and Mr. Jagermeister in 2018. The Oaks winners include Princess Elaine in 1988, Chick Fight in 2009 and Ready to Runaway in 2019. Also on the card are two stakes for older Minnesota breds, both named for past Oaks and Derby winners – The Princess Elaine and The Wally’s Choice.

Minnesota Derby 3yo / MN 1 Mile & 70 Yards $75,000
Minnesota Oaks 3yo f / MN 1 Mile & 70 Yards $75,000
Wally's Choice Overnight Handicap 3 & up / MN 1 1/16 $40,000 Glitter Star Overnight Handicap 3 & up f/m / MN 1 1/16 $40,000

Mr. Peanut & the NUTmobile
Made in Minnesota Day welcomes the famous Planter's Mr. Peanut and the NUTmobile! Visit and take photos with our special guest along with many others on Made in Minnesota Day, Saturday, August 10th.

Saturday, August 31
Closing out our Signature Stakes Series - State Championship of Racing with over $400,000 in purses up for grabs.

The Minnesota Festival of Champions began in 1992 at what was then Canterbury Downs, organized by owners and breeders to showcase Minnesota- breds and racing in Minnesota as Ladbroke, the owners at that time, had neglected racing and were preparing to close the track. The inaugural Festival was indeed the final day of racing until 1995 when Canterbury Park, under the direction of Dale Schenian, Curt Sampson and son Randy Sampson, opened for a live race meet. A race meet has been conducted each summer since and Minnesota Festival of Champions remains a centerpiece.

Northern Lights Futurity 2yo / MN 6 furlongs $75,000
Northern Lights Debutante 2yo f / MN 6 furlongs $75,000
Crocrock Minnesota Sprint 3 & up / MN 6 furlongs $50,000
Bella Notte Minnesota Distaff Sprint 3 & up f/m / MN 6 furlongs $50,000
Blair's Cove Minnesota Turf 3 & up / MN 1 1/16 turf $50,000 Princess Elaine Minnesota Distaff Turf 3 & up f/m / MN 1 1/16 turf $50,000