The Minnesota Supreme Court decided Thursday afternoon to consolidate the petitions of Canterbury Park and other businesses seeking to stay open during a government shutdown.
Canterbury spokesman Jeff Maday said the ruling means Canterbury would likely shut down at midnight, because it appeared there would be no decision Thursday on whether to allow Canterbury, Running Aces Harness Park and other businesses to remain open. Canterbury and its horsemen had requested a temporary injunction in Scott County District Court to allow them to continue racing. At a hearing on that request Thursday morning, an attorney for the governor's office filed a motion to consolidate it with similar petitions, and the Supreme Court heard that argument early Thursday afternoon.
Maday said it is uncertain when the groups might get a hearing before a judge. He expects their case to go before Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin, who on Wednesday ruled that she could only compel spending on core government functions. Canterbury Park, she said, did not meet that standard. Officials of the Shakopee track plan to appeal that decision.
Maday said that Canterbury Park officials continue to explore ways in which they might keep at least part of the business open. They are hopeful, he said, that the card club and simulcast wagering on out-of-state races might be able to continue, since they do not require hands-on regulation.
"We're still looking at all our options," Maday said. "We're not giving up."
-- Rachel Blount
