Seasonal Racing Secretary

Experience the fun of working in the entertainment industry at Canterbury Park - home to live horse racing every summer and year round action in our Card Casino, Racebook and Expo Center.

Canterbury Park offers competitive pay and an attractive benefits package for part-time team members. Our team members enjoy paid time off, floating holidays and holiday premium pay. For eligible team members, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes life, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching; robust wellness programs designed to promote overall health and well-being; and much more. Additional exciting perks include free admission to live racing events, exclusive access to special event privileges, and a wide variety of discounts at local businesses and throughout Canterbury Park. These benefits are carefully designed to not only enhance your experience at work but also contribute to a vibrant and rewarding lifestyle in the community. 

Job Summary:   

The Racing Secretary is primarily responsible for the integrity and success of Canterbury Park’s live racing offerings. The ideal candidate will be responsible for development and enhancement of the quality of racing, supervising and directing the Racing Office Department and performing the duties of the Racing Secretary. Additionally, the candidate must have a strong work ethic, an innovative outlook on the racing industry and a dedicated belief in Canterbury Park’s vision. 

  Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for managing the live racing meets which includes: compiling and publishing condition books, stakes schedules, assigning weights or making allowances for handicap races, processing all entries and nominations, and the direct supervision of all racing office personnel, etc.


• Assists in the recruitment of horses & racing personnel.


• Maintains a complete record of all races.


• Accountable for the safe keeping of registration certificates and coordinates a safe return to owners/trainers.


• Responsible for analyzing official workouts and past performance records to arrange races between horses of equal experience and ability.


• Oversees the compilation of the official program for each live racing day.


• Handicaps horses in each race by assigning weight it will carry based on known data about each horse.


• Works with the Senior Manager of Racing Operations and Stall Superintendent to determine stall applications and allocations for each race meet.


• In conjunction with the Senior Manager of Racing Operations serves as a liaison between Minnesota HBPA, MQHRA and Canterbury Park.


• Works collaboratively with internal team leaders to promote the Fun and Games program and be able to articulate to employees as to Canterbury Park’s customer service philosophy.


• Responsible for adhering to all procedures and/or controls in designated area of responsibility.


• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Supervision: 

• Assistant Racing Secretary/Quarter Horse Racing Secretary, Stakes Coordinator, Identifier, Clocker, Assistant Clocker, Starter, Assistant Starter, Entry Clerk, Placing Judge, Outrider, Stall Superintendent, Claims Clerk, Paddock Judge, Program Coordinator, Clerk of Scales, Silks Room Attendant, Valet, Paddock Shoer and Receiving Barn Attendant.

Required Qualifications:  

• At least Five (5) years of experience as a Racing Secretary or an Assistant Racing Secretary and ten (10) years of experience as a licensed racing official.


• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with numerous responsibilities.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, executives, managers and horsemen.


• Ability to maintain a calm, composed presence in an often challenging environment where multiple tasks and events may occur simultaneously.


• The highest of moral integrity and a strong work ethic.


• Must be able to pass Canterbury Park’s pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check and verification of work history.


• Must be able to attain a Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC) license.


• Must be registered with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) as a Covered Person.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate of the University of Louisville Equine Program or University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program and/or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.


• Accredited Steward through ROAP

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Maintain a flexible working schedule, which will include late nights and weekends during the live race season May – September.


• While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit throughout the assigned shift


• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.


• Requires frequent wrist and hand use.