Canterbury and Running Aces outline 2026 meet plans as stall applications lag last year

Canterbury staff told the Racing Commission that the backside of the track will open on May 1, training will begin May 7 and live racing is scheduled to start on Memorial Day weekend. Stall application totals reported to the commission were 705 thoroughbred applications (down from about 920 last year) and 85 quarter-horse applications (down from 123 last year). Staff cautioned that applications tend to include parties who do not ultimately arrive and said they remain hopeful the meet will support solid fields.

Officials said rising shipping costs and competition for horsemen are industrywide challenges; they also noted uncertainty at Hawthorne, where an unresolved operating window could send additional horsepersons to the jurisdiction later in the spring. Canterbury described completed jock-room upgrades funded in part by HEISA credits and an expanded marketing push including $2 Thursdays, dog/beagle races, and promotions tied to nearby amphitheater events and district businesses.

Running Aces reported allocations for the meet (27 trainers stabled at the facility, 244 horses on grounds, 29 trainers with ship privileges), pre-qualifying races in early May, and a nightly guaranteed pick-four pool of $3,000 through a partnership program. Both Canterbury and Running Aces said they continue to discuss horse-sale logistics; Canterbury staff outlined possible new conditions if the track continues to host a sale (pre-licensing bidders, higher minimum proceeds, codes of conduct and a reservation of authority to nullify sales in the horse’s best interest).

Commissioners asked whether the track would fund sale-related costs again and whether recent onsite incidents affected trainer willingness to return; staff said sale expense support is available but had not yet been requested and that it is unclear whether application declines are related to earlier incidents.