Minnesota Racing Commission

The Minnesota Racing Commission voted Monday to approve historical horse racing at Canterbury Park and Running Aces, according to the Star-Tribune. The commission was not expected to make a decision at Monday's meeting, however, after more than 3 1/2 hours of discussion it voted 5-1 to approve HHR, effective May 21. "We are at a critical crossroads," Commissioner Raymond Dehn told the Star-Tribune. "There is a lot at stake." The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), which operates Mystic Lake Casino, both spoke against...

Despite coming off a record-handle season, Canterbury Park is proposing a 10-day schedule slice and a $45,000 average daily purse cut for 2023. The reductions were made public this week as the Minnesota track faced a Nov. 15 racing commission deadline to apply for next year's dates at the same time it is trying to extend or renegotiate an expiring agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Since 2012, that deal has provided purse funding in exchange for the track and horsemen not pursuing additional forms of gambling, and it...

Having been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this week in an alleged Ponzi scheme, Jason Dodd Bullard, who operates Empire Racing Stables LLC, has had his Minnesota owner's license suspended by the state's Racing Commission. According to a release from the MRC, "control of all assets, including the Thoroughbred racehorses in Minnesota owned by Jason Dodd Bullard and Empire Racing LLC, have been transferred to a court-appointed receiver." The order was issued by United States District Judge David S. Doty. The two-paragraph statement from the MRC...

Governor Tim Walz appointed Commissioner Raymond Dehn Mar. 1, according to the Minnesota Racing Commission Friday. Commissioner Dehn served four terms as a Minnesota state legislator, representing House District 59B in Minneapolis from 2013-2021. The Minnesota native graduated with honors from the architecture program of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In addition to the recent appointment of Commissioner Dehn, the Office of the Secretary of State released notice of vacancies for three Minnesota Racing Commission positions. The terms of three incumbents expire June 30, 2021. The Commission is comprised...

Steve May of Georgetown, Kentucky, has been appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the next executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission. May will assume his new duties in late April, succeeding Tom DiPasquale, who retired in February after serving as director since 2013. "Steve May has had broad background in racing and pari-mutuel operations and is well suited by education and experience to lead the fine commission staff assembled here in Minnesota by his predecessor," said Minnesota Racing Commission chairman Jim Lane. May is the Director of Pari-Mutuel...