Minnesota’s horse racing industry may be reaching the finish line. But its supporters hope new legislation will incentivize more breeding of state horses for the racing industry that's been struggling.
Work is underway at Canterbury Park in Shakopee to prep for races beginning in May, while work continues at the state Capitol on a bill that would funnel $2 million a year into prize money for Minnesota-born racehorses running at Canterbury. The money would come from another form of gambling in state: pull tabs.
According to Richard Bremer, chair of the Minnesota Breeders Fund, there were 68 foals born in the year 2025, down over 200 compared to 20 years ago. Lisa Duoos Smrekar is vice chair and a horse breeder with Dove Hill Farms LLC, and she said the extra money from pull tabs would be a tremendous help.
“We consider a good year is when we break even as an owner,” She said. “It basically costs more to raise horses up here. We have heat bills to pay. our barns, are built differently than they are down south.”
The bill is currently still winding through committee in the Minnesota House.
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