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Olmstead, Esqueda, Sheckel Named as Leaders at Canterbury, Track Enjoys Handle Increases
Jason Olmstead and Cristian Esqueda took the leading Quarter Horse trainer and jockey titles at Canterbury Park in 2018.

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Olmstead, Esqueda, Sheckel Named as Leaders at Canterbury, Track Enjoys Handle Increases

SHAKOPEE, MN—SEPTEMBER 18, 2018—Canterbury Park enjoyed an increase in handle for it's just completed 69-day Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Meet ended September 15th.

According to track figures, all-sources average daily handle of $697,720 In 2018, was up 7% compared to $651,830 last year. Average handle per race also rose 7% to $72,178 compared to $67,397 in 2017.

The Minnesota racetrack conducted 560 Thoroughbred races and 107 Quarter Horse races this season compared to 543 and 105 last year. Canterbury Park paid $15,231,235 in purses during the 2018 meeting, more than $1.3 million more than last year's $13,849,395 total.

Average daily attendance declined slightly, from 6,585 to 6,506.

Cristian Esqueda was Canterbury Park's leading Quarter Horse jockey with 17 wins from 70 mounts, five more than runner-up Nakia Ramirez, who won 12 races from 59 mounts.

Jason Olmstead led all Quarter Horse trainers with 27 wins from 127 starters, 16 more than runner-up Stacy Charette-Hill, who won 11 races from 69 starters.

Thomas J. Scheckel was Canterbury's top Quarter Horse owner with eight wins from 52 starters, three more than runners-up Lunderborg LLC and Milena Kwiecien.