'Battle of Surfaces' Returns to Canterbury

Canterbury Park's July 16 program will feature the Battle of the Surfaces--a dirt race and a turf race run simultaneously with a common pool.

The event is part of the Minnesota track's Extreme Day, which includes exhibition races for camels, ostriches, and zebras. Last year's card attracted about 15,000 people.

The Battle of the Surfaces offers a turf race at 1 1/16miles and a dirt race at one mile and 70 yards. The two starting gates will be staggered but open at the same time so that the final time of the race is approximated to be the same for both the turf and dirt.

"We have tweaked the distances this year," director of racing operations Andrew Offerman said. "Last year, the dirt horses dominated. The condition of the turf course and dirt track are factors as is the class of the horses competing. We are hoping for the closest finish between the two surfaces that we can get."

The turf race attracted 12 entrants and the dirt race seven. Each horse will be an individual betting interest—for a total of 19 programmed—with win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagering offered. The event also is the first leg of the 50-cent Pick 5.

The order of finish will be determined by best finish position regardless of which surface the horse is racing on, so it is possible to have an exacta payoff comprised of a horse on the turf and a horse on the dirt. The Battle of the Surfaces will be the sixth race on a 10-race program.

Canterbury was the first track to successfully attempt such a race when it debuted during the 2007 Extreme Day.

"We have continually made adjustments to the distances to make this an exciting and unique event that race fans and bettors will only experience at Canterbury Park," said vice president of racing Eric Halstrom, who conceived the event. "This really is a one-of-a-kind wagering opportunity."

Last year the Battle of the Surfaces had the highest pari-mutuel handle of any race on the program.