Canterbury: field sizes down from last year but on-track attendance steady; three-day finish and events planned

Canterbury Park staff told the Racing Commission Monday that the track’s 2023 meet will finish with three remaining race days and that the season shows mixed results: lower average field sizes and out-of-state wagering but steady on-track attendance and per-race on-track handle.

“...our field size is down from last year, which was a high of about 7.3 horses per race. Down to 6.7 horses per race, and that really does impact out of state handle a lot more than on-track handle,” Canterbury staff member Sonia said during the commission’s staff status report.

Sonia said track attendance for the year is “currently up about 4% per day” despite fewer race days. She attributed the gap in out-of-state handle to smaller field sizes and to cancellations (weather and heat) that reduced the total number of races run compared with projections. Canterbury expects to provide a fuller summary at the next commission meeting after the meet wraps up.

Commissioners and staff also discussed recruitment of owners and trainers—especially in light of shifting California racing dates—and modifications to trainer-recruitment incentive programs designed to attract new trainers and owners to Canterbury in future seasons.

Running Aces and other partners were discussed as complementary regional assets; the meeting noted upcoming events including a “Night of Champions” on Saturday, Sept. 20, and other September/October community events intended to maintain patron engagement through the off-season.

Ending — staff said they will present final attendance, handle and purse-payment figures at the next meeting after the meet concludes.