The August meeting of the Minnesota Racing Commission proved to be a fruitful one for Minnesota Horse Racing. The Commission issued a formal order ratifying an agreement on a purse repayment plan between Running Aces Harness Park and Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc., the group which represents those individuals who race at Running Aces. The agreement has added $100,000 to this year?s purse account and will add $100,000 in additional purse money in each of the upcoming three racing seasons, plus provide monies to promote horse ownership in Minnesota.
On a further positive note, the Racing Commission also approved a cross breed simulcast agreement between Canterbury Park and Running Aces that will bring harness racing simulcasts back to Canterbury and Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse simulcasts back to Running Aces. This agreement will not only provide horseracing fans a full complement of horseracing simulcasts from most every major racing venue across North America, but also bring added purse money to the those who race in Minnesota.
Ralph Strangis, Chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission, was extremely pleased with the all parties who came to terms with these agreements. ?The commission has been active in keeping all parties focused on the future of horse racing in Minnesota, and we are pleased with the work Canterbury, Running Aces, and their horsemen have done in getting these issues addressed so that the industry can move forward.?
Tom DiPasquale, Executive Director of the Minnesota Racing Commission, also provided an optimistic outlook for horse racing in the state. ?These agreements, which resolve longstanding disagreements, were the result of all parties working together to advance the longer term interests of Minnesota racing. Those interests include more lucrative purses, increased betting handle, and industry-related economic development.?
Both Running Aces and Canterbury will be working quickly to begin offering simulcasts of all breeds within the upcoming week or two.