Canterbury Park in Shakopee, a horse-racing track with a card room and event space, promoted Amber Carlisle to senior manager of racing operations. In her expanded role, Carlisle will oversee the racing office and work closely with the general manager and other departments to plan and execute Canterbury Park’s live racing operations.
Carlisle has been involved in the racing industry for several years. She is an alumnus of the KTTC Kids to the Cup program and began as a hot-walker in 2004 before eventually being employed in the Colonial Downs Race Track in New Kent, Virginia. Carlisle worked in the racing office at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Louisiana, before coming to Canterbury in 2014. She is also a ROAP-accredited racing official.
“I appreciate the opportunity to expand my role at Canterbury Park,” Carlisle says. “We have many goals for this season that will lead to success, one being increasing average field size. We have worked cooperatively over the winter with the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association to revise our condition book to make sure every horse on the grounds will have multiple opportunities to race.”
Carlisle began at Canterbury as the racing office administrator but also served as assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator for both thoroughbreds and quarter horses. She will continue to work in the racing office assisting the staff there.
“That’s what I love, working with the trainers and interacting with the horse people,” she says. “You won’t find me giving up the racetrack to work somewhere in an office. Creating the races is something I really enjoy.”
Carlisle led the recruiting effort for the upcoming meet and, along with Racing Secretary Rob Junk and General Manager John Groen, devised a prepaid trainer incentive program to reward trainers that participate throughout the season.
Canterbury Park’s 54-day race meet runs May 18 through Sept. 28.
