Robertson Takes Another Canterbury Title
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Photo: Coady Photography
Mac Robertson won his 1,000th race early in the meet.
Canterbury Park's 69-day mixed meet closed Sept. 17 with Mac Robertson taking the training title while Dean Butler topped the rider standings.
Robertson concluded the season with 71 wins and a Canterbury record of $1,571,658 in purse earnings, tallying his 10th training title at the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack.
Butler earned his fifth riding title and first since 2013 and ended the meet with 82 wins. He also set the record for purse earnings, with $1,800,261.
Handle for the meet, which included Quarter Horse racing, totaled $43.3 million, an increase of 5.3% over 2015. Average daily handle increased by 6.8% overall with on-track average decreasing by 1.5%, but out-of-state showing an increase of 10.5% daily.
Attendance averaged 6,560 daily, down 2% over last season.
A record of $14,401,205 in purse money, an increase of 1.8% over last season, was paid during the meet, which saw 654 races conducted.
Joe Novogratz of Chanhassen, Minn., racing as Novogratz Racing Stables, was the leading owner with 18 wins.
Robertson runner Majestic Pride, a son of Artie Schiller who won four races during the meet, including the Brooks Fields and John Bullit Stakes, was named the track's horse of the year, champion older horse, and champion grass horse.
Canterbury Park's 2016 divisional champions:
Horse of the year - Majestic Pride (owner: Hugh Robertson, Jeff Ryan, and Gary Chanen ; trainer: Mac Robertson)
3yo male: One Mean Man (Mizzen Mast ) (owner: L.T.B. Inc. and Hillerich Racing; trainer: Bernard Flint)
3yo filly: Honey's Sox Appeal (Successful Appeal ) (owner: Bob Lindgren; trainer: Mac Robertson )
2yo: Line Judge (Strong At Last) (owner: Barry and Joni Butzow; trainer: Joe Sharp)
Sprinter: Honey's Sox Appeal (owner: Bob Lindgren; trainer: Mac Robertson )
Older horse: Majestic Pride (owner: Hugh Robertson, Jeff Ryan, and Gary Chanen; trainer: Mac Robertson)
Grass horse: Majestic Pride (owner: Hugh Robertson, Jeff Ryan, and Gary Chanen; trainer: Mac Robertson
Older filly or mare: Secret Someone (A.P. Indy) (owner: Mt. Brilliant Stable; trainer: Michael Stidham)