SHAKOPEE, Minn., July 16, 2003/PRNewswire/ -- Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (Amex: ECP) today commented on a recent report in the Shakopee Valley News that Mystic Lake Casino Hotel (Mystic Lake) will expand its gaming options beginning in August, to offer some of the same "unbanked" card games that are currently offered at Canterbury Park's Card Club.

The June 25th media report indicated that 12 of the 88 table games at Mystic Lake, which is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, will be converted from blackjack to various versions of poker based card games including Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, and Let it Ride. These new games at Mystic Lake will directly compete with the card room games that have been operating at Canterbury Park since the opening of the Card Club in April 2000.

Randy Sampson, President and CEO of Canterbury Park, commented, "At this point we do not have enough information to determine whether the addition of unbanked card games to Mystic Lake's existing slot and video gaming will have a material adverse affect on our Card Club operations.  The revenue from Mystic Lake's slot machines provides them virtually unlimited resources to promote and operate these new card games.  This competitive advantage has the potential to cause significant damage to the Minnesota horse industry, which has benefited from increased purses at Canterbury Park since opening the Card Club."

Mr. Sampson continued, "Mystic Lake's decision to introduce new poker based games strengthens our resolve to return to the Minnesota legislature in 2004 for authorization to offer slot and video gaming at our proposed Canterbury Park Racino.  The article in the Shakopee Valley News reported that Mystic Lake is adding these new card games to the slot and video gaming they currently offer, because of their customers' demand for gaming alternatives. We are simply asking for the opportunity to compete on a level playing field in the entertainment marketplace, by being given legislative authority to offer the same gaming products currently available at Mystic Lake."

Surveys conducted by two major Twin Cities newspapers this spring found that 70% of Minnesotans support the proposed Racino at Canterbury Park.  "Two decades ago, Minnesota voters clearly spoke when they passed the constitutional amendment authorizing pari-mutuel horse racing," Sampson continued.  "Later, Minnesota voters authorized the State Lottery.  This spring, thousands of supporters told the Minnesota legislature that they wanted more gaming options at Canterbury Park to help generate new state revenues and support Minnesota's agricultural industry.  The public wants more entertainment choices, and the Racino would meet that demand."

ABOUT CANTERBURY PARK: Canterbury Park Holding Corporation owns and operates Canterbury Park Racetrack, Minnesota's only pari-mutuel horse racing facility.  The Company's 63-day 2003 live race meet began on May 16 and will end on September 1, 2003. The Company also operates Canterbury Card Club, the only facility in Minnesota given legislative authority to host "unbanked" card games.  Canterbury Card Club operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and receives collection revenue from 31 poker tables and 19 tables offering a variety of unbanked card games.  In addition, the Company conducts year-round wagering of simulcast horse racing and hosts a variety of other entertainment and special events at its facility in Shakopee, Minnesota.  For more information about the Company please visit us at www.canterburypark.com .