Horse Tracks to Stay Closed During Shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Canterbury Park and Running Aces horse tracks will remain closed during the Minnesota government shutdown.

A judge overseeing appeals about the shutdown says Thursday she won't reconsider her prior orders about Canterbury Park and Minnesota Harness Racing.

In her order, Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin says funds for the state's two horse racing tracks can't be distributed without a biennial appropriation from the Legislature. She also says horse racing is highly regulated, and can't happen without the Minnesota Racing Commission - which is closed.

The racing commission regulates the industry - but regulators are out of work due to the shutdown.

At Canterbury Park alone, more than 1,000 workers have been laid off and eight of 62 racing days have been lost to the shutdown.