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Canterbury Park Holding Corp - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)

cphc20221123_10k.htm
 

 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition period from ______ to ______

Commission File Number: 001-37858

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Minnesota

 

47-5349765

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

1100 Canterbury Road

Shakopee, MN 55379

 
 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) 
 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 445-7223 
   
 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of Each Class

Symbol

Name of Exchange on which Registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value

CPHC

Nasdaq Stock Market

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Yes

 

No

 

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates based on the price at which the Company’s common stock was last sold on the Nasdaq Global Market, on June 30, 2022, the end of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $79,222,296. On March 21, 2023, the Company had 4,896,894 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of the Company's fiscal year end of December 31, 2022, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED December 31, 2022

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

PART I

   

ITEM 1.

Business

3

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

13

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

19

ITEM 2.

Properties

19

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

20

   

PART II

     

ITEM 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

20

ITEM 6.

[Reserved]

21

ITEM 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

21

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

28

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

29

ITEM 9.

Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

50

ITEM 9A.

Controls and Procedures

50

ITEM 9B. Other Information 51

ITEM 9C.

Regarding Foreign Jurisdiction that Prevent Inspections

51

   

PART III

     

ITEM 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

51

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

51

ITEM 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

51

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

51

ITEM 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

51

   

PART IV

     

ITEM 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

52

ITEM 16.

Form 10-K Summary

54

     

SIGNATURES

55

 

 

 
2

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

Available Information

 

The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Canterbury Park Holding Corporation, that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company files annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).

 

We also make available free of charge through our website (www.canterburypark.com) the reports and other documents that we file with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.

 

Overview

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is the holding company for and parent company of two subsidiaries, Canterbury Park Entertainment LLC (“Canterbury Entertainment”) and Canterbury Development (“Canterbury Development”) and an indirect subsidiary Canterbury Park Concessions, Inc. which is wholly-owned by Canterbury Entertainment. As used herein, the term “Company” or “we” includes Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

We divide our business into four segments: (i) horse racing, (ii) Casino, (iii) food and beverage, and (iv) real estate development. The horse racing segment represents our pari-mutuel wagering operations on simulcast and live horse races; the Casino segment represents our unbanked card operations; the food and beverage segment includes concessions, catering, and events services provided at the Racetrack; and the development segment represents our real estate development operations. We conduct our (i) horse racing, (ii) Casino, and (iii) food and beverage segments through Canterbury Entertainment. We conduct our real estate development segment through Canterbury Development.

 

Canterbury Park Entertainment

 

Through Canterbury Entertainment, we host pari-mutuel wagering on thoroughbred and quarter horse races and “unbanked” card games at our Canterbury Park Racetrack and Casino facility (the “Racetrack”) in Shakopee, Minnesota, which is approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The Racetrack is the only facility in the State of Minnesota that offers live pari-mutuel thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Our pari-mutuel wagering operations include both wagering on thoroughbred and quarter horse races during live meets at the Racetrack and year-round wagering on races held at out-of-state racetracks that are televised simultaneously at the Racetrack (“simulcasting”). Unbanked card games, in which patrons compete against each other, are hosted in the Casino at the Racetrack. The Casino has historically operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has historically offered both poker and table games at up to 80 tables. We also derive revenues from related services and activities, such as food and beverage, parking, advertising signage, publication sales, and catering and events held at the Racetrack. The ownership and operation of the Racetrack and the Casino are significantly regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”). Canterbury Entertainment is the direct owner of all land, facilities, and substantially all other assets related to our pari-mutuel wagering, Casino, concessions and other related businesses (“Racetrack Operations”), and is subject to direct regulation by the MRC. We own approximately 300 acres of land as of December 31, 2022, in Shakopee, Minnesota where the Racetrack is located. 

 

Traditionally, our revenues have been principally derived from three activities: Casino operations, wagering on live and simulcast horse races, and food and beverage sales. For the year ended December 31, 2022, revenues from Casino operations represented 60.2% of total revenues, wagering on horse races generated 26.3% of total revenues, and food and beverage revenue represented 13.5% of total revenues. These components of revenue are described in more detail below. 

 

In the first half of 2021, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the financial condition and operations of the segments within Canterbury Entertainment, although to a much lesser extent than 2020. We temporarily suspended all Casino, simulcast, and special event operations at Canterbury Park for a total of approximately one week at the beginning of January 2021. Additionally, effective May 28, 2021, all capacity limits, restrictions on large gatherings, and other restrictions, which had been implemented in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, were lifted and our Racetrack began operating under pre-pandemic guidelines. Our Casino also began operating without capacity restrictions effective May 28, 2021, but we maintained throughout the balance of 2021 and throughout 2022 and intend to maintain certain operational changes and improvements initiated in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, our horse racing, Casino, and food and beverage operations were not subject to any COVID-19 related closures or capacity limitations.

 

3

 

Horse Racing Operations

 

The Company’s horse racing operations consist of year-round simulcasting of horse races from around the U.S. and internationally, and wagering on live thoroughbred and quarter horse races (“live meets”) held on a seasonal basis beginning in May and generally concluding in September each year. At the Racetrack, various aspects of our operations are subject to approval by the MRC and the organization that represents a majority of the owners and trainers of the horses who race at the Racetrack, which is the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (“MHBPA”).

 

All of the wagering on simulcast and live horse races at the Racetrack is pari-mutuel wagering. In pari-mutuel wagering, bettors wager against each other in a pool, rather than against the operator of the facility or with preset odds. From the total handle wagered, the Minnesota Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Act (the “Minnesota Racing Act”) specifies the maximum percentage, referred to as the “takeout,” that may be withheld by the Racetrack, with the balance returned to the winning bettors. 

 

Pari-mutuel wagering can be divided into two categories: straight wagering pools and multiple wagering pools, which are also referred to as “exotic” wagering pools. Examples of straight wagers include: “win,” “place,” and “show.” Examples of exotic wagers include: “daily double,” “exacta,” ”trifecta,” and “pick four.”

 

The amount of takeout earned by the Company on pari-mutuel wagering depends on where the race is run and the form of wager (straight or exotic). The total maximum takeouts are 17% from straight wagering pools and 23% from exotic wagering pools. From this takeout, Minnesota law requires deductions for purses, pari-mutuel taxes, and payments to the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund (“MBF”). The balance of the takeout remaining after these deductions is commonly referred to as the “retainage.”

 

While the Minnesota Racing Act regulates that a minimum of 8.4% of the live racing handle be paid as purses to the owners of the horses, purse contributions from other sources are governed by a Horse Association Agreement dated June 4, 2012 by and among the Company, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (“SMSC”), a federally recognized Indian tribe, and the horsepersons’ associations: the MHBPA, the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association (“MTA”) and the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association (“MQHRA”). The MHBPA is the horseperson’s organization representing the majority of horsepersons at the Racetrack.

 

In addition, the MBF receives 1% of the handle. The current pari-mutuel tax applicable to wagering on all simulcast and live races is 6% of takeout in excess of $12 million during the twelve-month period beginning July 1 and ending the following June 30.

 

Net revenues from pari-mutuel wagering on live races run at the Racetrack consist of the total amount wagered, less the amounts paid (i) to winning patrons, (ii) for purses, (iii) to the MBF and (iv) for pari-mutuel taxes to the State of Minnesota. Net revenues from pari-mutuel wagering on races being run at out-of-state racetracks and simulcast to the Racetrack have similar expenses but also include a host fee payment to the host track. The host fee, which is calculated as a percentage of monies wagered (generally 3.0% to 10.0%), is negotiated with the host track and must comply with state laws governing the host track. Pari-mutuel revenues also include commission and breakage revenues on live on-track and simulcast racing, fees received from out-of-state racetracks for wagering on our live races and proceeds from unredeemed pari-mutuel tickets.

 

Additionally, Minnesota Advanced Deposit Wagering (“ADW”) legislation allows Minnesota residents to engage in pari-mutuel wagering on out-of-state horse races online with a prefunded account through an ADW provider. The Company collects a percentage of monies wagered (generally 2.75% to 5.0%) by Minnesota residents through the ADW provider as a source market fee. The Company pays 28% of the collected revenues to another Minnesota-based horse track, and records the remaining 72% as revenues and records expenses of at least 50% for purses and breeders’ awards.
4

 

Live Racing
 
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Racetrack hos ted 64 and 65 days, respectively, of live racing beginning in May and concluding in September. In 2022, the Company had one day of live racing cancelled due to inclement weather. Currently, Minnesota law requires the Company to schedule a minimum of 125 days of live racing annually, unless a majority of horsepersons at the Racetrack agree to a fewer number of live racing days. Pursuant to a consent and waiver dated June 1, 2020, the MHBPA agreed to waive the minimum of 125 days of racing required in 2020, provided that there were 65 scheduled live racing days each year beginning in 2021.
 
From June 4, 2012 to December 31, 2022, we were a party to a Cooperative Marketing Agreement (“CMA”) with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (“SMSC”), a federally recognized Indian tribe. The primary purpose of the CMA was to increase purses paid during live horse racing at Canterbury Park’s Racetrack in order to strengthen Minnesota’s thoroughbred and quarter horse industry. During the term of the CMA, the Company agreed not to promote or lobby the Minnesota legislature for expanded gambling authority and would support the SMSC’s lobbying efforts against expanding gambling authority.
 
On June 1, 2020, we entered into a Fifth Amendment Agreement to the CMA, which became effective on June 8, 2020 upon MRC approval. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC paid an annual purse enhancement of $7,280,000 for 2022, which was the same amount payable with respect to 2021. Additionally, the SMSC paid an annual marketing payment under the CMA of $1,620,000 for each of 2021 and 2022. Following the expiration of the CMA on December 31, 2022, we will not receive any purse enhancement, marketing payments or other amounts under the CMA.
 
If, for any reason, the Horse Association Agreement is terminated or we otherwise cease to benefit from the Horse Association Agreement, the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by a decrease in the daily purses, potential reduction in the quality of horses, lower attendance, lower overall average amount wagered (“handle”), and substantially greater operating expenses.

 

Simulcasting
 
Simulcasting is the process by which live horse races held at one facility (the “host track”) are transmitted simultaneously to other locations to allow patrons at each receiving location (the “guest track”) to place wagers on races transmitted from the host track. Monies are collected at the guest track and the information with respect to the total amount wagered is electronically transmitted to the host track. All of the amounts wagered at guest tracks are combined into the appropriate pools at the host track with the final odds and payouts based upon all the monies in the respective pools.
 
The Company is able to offer simulcast racing from up to 20 racetracks per day, seven days a week, 364 days per year, including Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Racecourse. In addition, races of national interest, such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup supplement the regular simulcast program. The Company regularly evaluates its agreements with other racetracks to offer the most popular simulcast signals of live horse racing that are reasonably available.
 
Under federal and state law, in order to conduct simulcast operations either as a host or guest track, the Company must obtain the consent of the MRC and the MHBPA as the organization that represents a majority of the owners and trainers of the horses who race at the Racetrack. As these consents are obtained annually, no assurance can be given that the MRC and the MHBPA will allow the Company to conduct simulcast operations either as a host or guest track in 2023 or future years. If either the MRC or the MHBPA do not consent, the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by a decrease in pari-mutuel revenue, potential reduction in the quality of horses, lower attendance, and lower overall handle.
5

 

              Casino Operations
 
The Casino may offer gaming 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and offers two forms of unbanked card games: poker and table games.
 
Poker games, including Texas Hold ‘Em, Stud, and Omaha, with betting limits per hand ranging between $2 and $100, are currently offered in the poker room. A dealer employed by the Company regulates the play of the game at each table and deals the cards but does not participate in play. In poker games, the Company is allowed to deduct a percentage from the accumulated wagers and impose other charges for hosting the activity but does not have an interest in the outcome of a game. The Company may add additional prizes, awards, or money to any game for promotional purposes.
 
As of March 2023, the Casino was offering the following table games: Blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Fortune Pai Gow, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, EZ Baccarat, Criss Cross Poker, Free Bet Blackjack, and I Luv Suits. The Company has the option to offer banked games under the Minnesota law governing Casino operations but currently only offers “unbanked” games. “Unbanked” refers to a wagering system or game where wagers lost in card games are accumulated into a player pool liability for purposes of enhancing the total amount paid back to winning players. The Company can only serve as custodian of the player pool, may not have an active interest in any card game, and does not recognize amounts that dealers “win” or “lose” during the course of play as revenue.
 
The primary source of table games revenue is a percentage of the buy in received from the players, aggregated up to 20% per day, as defined by the MRC regulations, as compensation for providing the Casino facility and services, referred to as “collection revenue.” In addition, several table games offer a progressive jackpot. The player has the option of playing the jackpot with the opportunity to win some or the entire jackpot amount, depending upon the player’s hand.
 
The primary source of poker revenue the Company collects is a “rake” of 5-10%, depending on the limit of the game, of the poker pot up to a maximum of $4 per hand. In addition, poker games offer progressive jackpots for most games. In order to fund the poker jackpot pools, the dealer withholds $2 from each final pot in excess of the $15 minimum.
 
Under Minnesota law, the Company is required to pay 10% of the first $6 million of gross Casino revenues towards purses for live horse racing at the Racetrack. After meeting the $6 million threshold, the Company must pay 14% of gross Casino revenues as purse monies. Of funds allocated for purses, the Company pays 10% of the purse monies to the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund (the “MBF”), which is a fund apportioned by the MRC among various purposes related to Minnesota’s horse breeding and horse racing industries. The remaining 90% of purse monies are divided between thoroughbred (90%) and quarter horse (10%) purse funds. 
 
               Food and Beverage Operations
 
We derive revenue from our food and beverage operations through sales at concession stands, restaurant and buffet, bars, and other food venues. The Company currently offers two, year-round café style restaurants and full service bars within the Casino and simulcast area. The Casino offers tableside menu service generally 24 hours a day. Our Triple Crown Club offers lounge services along with a buffet restaurant. During live racing, a wide variety of concession style food and beverage options are available to our guests.
 
The food and beverage operations also include our catering and events services. We have one of the largest event spaces in the Twin Cities with more than 100,000 square feet of available space. Our facilities provide a variety of purposes for year-round events and other activities. Our event space has been used for craft shows, trade shows, pool and poker tournaments, automobile and other utility vehicle shows, major art shows, and fundraisers. Our outdoor spaces have been used for concerts, snowmobile races, and other competitions. The infield of the Racetrack is also used as a concert and event area. In addition to event space, we offer space in our horse stable area for rent for boat storage during the winter months.

 

 

6

 

Development Operations

 

Beginning in 2015, we began executing our development plan for Company land that was not necessary to conduct our Racetrack Operations (grandstand, racetrack, stable area, parking areas, and land for other facilities including the expo center). Canterbury Development is not subject to direct regulation by the MRC. Originally, approximately 140 acres were considered underutilized and were targeted for real estate development by Canterbury Development complementary with our Racetrack Operations. 
 

In 2022, Canterbury Development continued to pursue various development opportunities for the underutilized land in a project known as Canterbury Commons™. Canterbury Development continues to pursue various mixed use development opportunities, such as residential development, office, restaurants, hotel, entertainment, and retail operations. As of December 31, 2022, Canterbury Development has contributed approximately 36 acres of land to three separate joint ventures described below. 

 

In addition, we have agreed to sell several parcels of land to third parties that will then develop the property as described below. Although we will have no continuing ownership in these land sales, we believe the future developments of this property contribute to the overall vitality of Canterbury Commons and drive visitation and spend to Canterbury Park. 

 

The following is a summary of our real estate development projects within Canterbury Commons as of December 31, 2022:

● Our first real estate development project in Canterbury Commons began in 2018 with a joint venture agreement between Canterbury Development and an affiliate of Doran Companies (“Doran”) for the development of the upscale Triple Crown Residences at Canterbury Park.

○ In September 2018, Canterbury Development contributed approximately 13 acres of land as its equity contribution in the Doran Canterbury I joint venture and became a 27.4% equity member. Construction of the 321-unit Phase I, which was developed pursuant to the first joint venture agreement, began in late 2018 with initial occupancy on part of the building in June 2020. Remaining units were completed and available for occupancy by the end of 2020.
 
○ In August 2020, Doran exercised its option for Phase II of the project, which will include an additional 305 residential units, and the Company entered into a second joint venture agreement with Doran. Pursuant to this second agreement, in early August 2020, the Company transferred roughly 10 acres of land to the second joint venture with Doran. In addition to receiving 27.4% ownership in the Doran Phase II joint venture, the exchange resulted in the repayment of a $2.9 million note receivable which was on the Company’s balance sheet as a related party receivable as of June 30, 2020. Groundwork on the Doran Canterbury II site began in October 2020, paving the way for the ground-up construction of the second phase of apartments, which began construction in March 2022. 
 
○ As a result of these joint ventures, Canterbury Development holds a 27.4% equity interest in Doran Canterbury I, LLC governed by an operating agreement effective as of March 1, 2018 with Doran Shakopee LLC, and Canterbury Development holds a 27.4% equity interest in Doran Canterbury II, LLC governed by an operating agreement effective as of July 30, 2020 with Doran Shakopee LLC and amended October 1, 2021.

 

● Development work related to the Company’s joint venture with Greystone Construction (“Greystone”) is also underway on the southwest portion of the Canterbury Commons site. Pursuant to this joint venture, Greystone is developing a 13-acre land parcel with potential uses expected to include hospitality, dining, residential, commercial and service-oriented retail. The land and infrastructure improvements were completed in 2021.
 
○ Greystone’s development work to date is primarily for a new 28,000 square foot office building, with Greystone occupying the second floor as its new corporate headquarters. The project was completed in the 2021 third quarter and a lease was executed for the majority of the s pace resulting in 84% building occupancy. The joint venture is governed by an operating agreement with an affiliate of Greystone and Canterbury Development, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named Canterbury DBSV Development, LLC (Canterbury DBSV). Canterbury Development’s equity contribution to Canterbury DBSV was approximately 13 acres of land, which was contributed to Canterbury DBSV on July 1, 2020. In connection with its contribution, Canterbury Development became a 61.87% equity member in Canterbury DBSV. 
 
○ Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2022, Canterbury DBSV transferred 1.46 acres of land as an equity contribution into a joint venture. The joint venture is governed by an operating agreement with Winners Circle Drive, LLC and Canterbury DBSV, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named SW Gateway, LLC. In connection with its contribution, Canterbury DBSV became a 45.9% equity member in SW Gateway, LLC. The land will be used for the development of a new 11,000 square foot building to be occupied by a local restaurant and brewery.
 
○ Finally, during the fourth quarter of 2022, Canterbury DBSV sold 1.68 acres of land to A&M Kerber Holdings, LLC for total consideration of approximately $925,000 for the construction of a Next Steps Learning Center and child care facility.
7

 

● In April 2020, Canterbury Development entered into two agreements to sell approximately 14 acres of land on the west side of the Racetrack to Pulte Homes of Minnesota ("Pulte") and Lifestyle Communities for total consideration of approximately $3,500,000. Closing of the Lifestyle Communities and the first phase of the Pulte transactions occurred in April 2021, totaling approximately 9.8 acres. The closing of phase two of the Pulte transaction and the sale of the remaining 4.2 acres occurred in June 2022. 
 
○ Development approvals by Pulte on 109 new for sale row homes and townhome residences at Canterbury Commons was completed in late 2020. The project received its approvals from the City of Shakopee in a joint planned urban development application with Lifestyle Communities who is located adjacent to the townhome project. Ground improvements and utility work commenced in early 2021 for both projects. Lifestyle Communities will be a 4-story 56-unit age restricted active senior cooperative community. The building is programmed with over 5,000 square feet of amenity spaces and outdoor spaces. Pulte has initiated ground up construction of a number of townhome buildings and its first model units were completed in the first quarter of 2022.
 
● In September 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to sell approximately 40 acres of land on the northeast corner of the Racetrack to Minneapolis-based Swervo Development Corporation ("Swervo"). Swervo intends to construct a 19,000 seat amphitheater as part of the Canterbury Commons development. Closing of the land sale is expected to occur in the first half of 2023. The Company and Swervo received regulatory approval of the amphitheater development in the 2022 fourth quarter. Canterbury plans to invest in significant improvements to its horse stabling area in connection with the land sale and amphitheater development. We have finalized our stable area improvement plan, and are awaiting grading and utility permits from the city to begin the barn relocation and redevelopment process. This $1 5 million barn area redevelopment project will continue the Company’s ongoing commitment to provide quality horse racing in the state of Minnesota as well as allow for future development of Canterbury’s underutilized land.
 
In addition to the aforementioned projects, the Company continues to make progress with developer and partner selection for the other development opportunities within Canterbury Commons. The initial development portfolio was weighted heavily in the residential segment with nearly 900 units of multifamily and over 100 units of for sale townhomes. The Company anticipates more opportunity and focus in the entertainment, office, retail, and hospitality segments in the later phases of the Canterbury Commons development. Canterbury expects to make additional announcements of new partners for this phase in the future.
 
See footnote 12 of the consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on recent transactions and development activity.
 
Competition
 
The Company faces direct competition from Running Aces Harness Park ("Running Aces") in Columbus Township, Anoka County, Minnesota, a racetrack and card room that is located approximately 50 miles from Canterbury Park. Running Aces offers pari-mutuel wagering on live races of standardbred (“harness”) horses on a seasonal basis and year round wagering on simulcasting of all breeds of horse races. In addition to pari-mutuel wagering, Running Aces operates a card room that directly competes with the Company’s Casino.
 
The Company operates in a highly competitive wagering and gaming environment with a large number of participants. The Company competes with competitive wagering operations and activities that include tribal casinos, state-sponsored lotteries, and other forms of legalized gaming in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. The Company competes with a number of tribal casinos in the State of Minnesota that offer video slot machines, table games, and both banked and unbanked card games, including Minnesota’s largest casino, Mystic Lake, which is located approximately four miles from the Racetrack and which is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

 

Additionally, Internet-based interactive gaming and wagering is growing rapidly and adversely affects all forms of wagering offered by the Company. Legislation became effective November 1, 2016 in Minnesota that allowed the Company to begin collecting source market fees from companies that offer ADW wagering. These companies provide legal simulcast horse wagering over the internet. The legislation now allows the Company to recoup a percentage of all simulcast horse racing wagers made by Minnesota residents over the internet on out-of-state races.

 

The Minnesota legislature may consider bills to legalize sports betting in the State of Minnesota. If sports betting were legalized in Minnesota for tribal casinos and through mobile applications operated by the tribes, we would experience increased competition from the tribal casinos which could divert customers from our Casino and Racetrack and thus adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

8

 

The Company also faces indirect competition from a variety of sources for discretionary consumer spending including spectator sports and other entertainment and gaming options. In the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, competition includes a wide range of live and televised professional and collegiate sporting events. In addition, live horse racing competes with a wide variety of summer attractions, including amusement parks, sporting events, and other local activities.

 

Finally, the Company competes with racetracks located throughout the United States in securing horses to run at the Racetrack. Attracting owners and trainers that can bring high quality horses to our Racetrack is largely dependent on our ability to offer competitive purses. The Company experiences significant competition for horses from racetracks located near Des Moines, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois. We expect this competition to continue for the foreseeable future.

 

Canterbury Development and its joint ventures face competition from developers of other residential, mixed use, office, retail, hotel and entertainment spaces around Shakopee, Minnesota and elsewhere in Minnesota. These other developers may be larger and have more resources than Canterbury Development or than Canterbury Development and its developer partners on a combined basis. The leasing of real estate is highly competitive. The principal competitive factors are rent, location, lease term, lease concessions, services provided and the nature and condition of the property to be leased. The Canterbury Development joint ventures will directly compete with all owners, developers and operators of similar space in the areas in which our properties are located. The number of competitive multifamily properties in our particular market could adversely affect lease rates at residential properties in Canterbury Commons, as well as the rents able to be charged. In addition, other forms of residential properties, including single family housing and town homes, provide housing alternatives to potential residents of luxury apartment communities like our Triple Crown Residences at Canterbury Park. Likewise, the competition for high quality tenants for retail, office and other spaces is intense. In order to be successful, our real estate joint ventures must have high lease rates, competitive rental rates, and maintain high occupancy rates with a financially stable tenant base. 

 

We may again in the future seek developers or other partners for joint venture arrangements or opportunities for Canterbury Development to develop our properties. We will be competing with other property owners, both around Shakopee and elsewhere, for high quality builders, commercial and residential real estate firms, and developers that share our vision for Canterbury Commons. We have in the past and may agree in the future to sell parcels of land to third parties that will then develop the properties and in that case, we will also be in competition with other sellers of properties for purchasers. Although we will have no continuing ownership in these land sales, we believe that the ability to effectively compete for tenants will be a factor in the purchasers’ selection of our property over other competing properties for their developments. 
 

Regulation and Regulatory Changes

 

General

 

The ownership and operation of the Racetrack in Minnesota is subject to significant regulation by the MRC under the Minnesota Racing Act and the rules adopted by the MRC. The Minnesota Racing Act governs the allocation of each wagering pool to winning bettors, the Racetrack, purses, pari-mutuel taxes, and the MBF, and empowers the MRC to license and regulate substantially all aspects of horse racing in the State. The MRC, among other things, grants operating licenses to racetracks after an application process and public hearings, licenses all racetrack employees, jockeys, trainers, veterinarians, and other participants, regulates the transfer of ownership interests in licenses, allocates live race days and simulcast-only race days, approves race programs, regulates the conduct of races, sets specifications for the racing ovals, animal facilities, employee quarters and public areas of racetracks, regulates the types of wagers on horse races, and approves significant contractual arrangements with racetracks, including management agreements, simulcast arrangements, and totalizator contracts.

 

A federal statute, the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, also requires that a racetrack must obtain the consent of the group representing the horsepersons (owners and trainers) racing the breed of horses that race a majority of the time at the racetrack (which is the MHBPA), and the consent of the state agency regulating the racetrack (in Minnesota, the MRC), in order to transmit simulcast signals of its live races or to receive and use simulcast signals from other racetracks.

 

Issuance of Class A and Class B Licenses to the Company

 

The Company holds a Class A License, issued by the MRC, that allows the Company to own and operate the Racetrack. The Class A License is effective until revoked, suspended by the MRC, or relinquished by the licensee. Currently, the fee for a Class A License is $252,000 per fiscal year.

 

The Company also holds a Class B License, issued by the MRC, that allows the Company to sponsor and manage horse racing on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted at its Class A licensed racetrack and on other horse races run at out-of-state locations as authorized by the MRC. The Class B License is renewable each year by the MRC after a public hearing (if required by the MRC). Currently, the fee for the Class B License is $500 for each assigned race day on which live racing is actually conducted and $100 for each day on which simulcasting is authorized and actually takes place.

 

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In addition, the law requires that the Company reimburse the MRC for actual costs, including stewards, state veterinarians and drug testing, related to the regulating of live racing. For fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid $152,000 and $172,000 respectively, to the MRC as reimbursement for costs of regulating live racing operations.

 

The MRC is also authorized by the Racing Act to regulate Casino operations. The law requires that the Company reimburse the MRC for its actual costs, including personnel costs, of regulating the Casino. For fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid $248,000 and $247,000, respectively, to the MRC as reimbursement for costs of regulating Casino operations.

 

On January 19, 2000, the MRC issued an additional Class B License to the Company that authorized the Company to host unbanked card games. The Class B License is renewable each year by the MRC after a public hearing (if required by the MRC). Currently, the Class B License fee of $10,000 per calendar year is included in the Class A License fee of $253,000 per calendar year.

 

Limitation on the Number of Class A and Class B Licenses

 

Pursuant to the Racing Act, so long as the Racetrack maintains its Class A License, no other Class A License may be issued to allow an entity to own and operate a racetrack in the seven county metropolitan area where thoroughbred and quarter horses are raced. However, the Racing Act provides that the MRC may issue an additional Class A License within the seven-county metropolitan area, if the additional license is issued for a facility that, among other conditions, is located more than 20 miles from the Racetrack, contains a track no larger than five-eighths of a mile in circumference, and is used exclusively for harness racing. In January 2005, this additional Class A license was issued for the location that later became known as Running Aces (see “Competition” above).

 

Limitation on Ownership and Management of an Entity that holds a Class A or Class B License

 

The Racing Act requires prior MRC approval of all officers, directors, 5% shareholders or other persons having a present or future direct or indirect financial or management interest in any person applying for a Class A or Class B license, and if a change of ownership of more than 5% of the licensee’s shares is made after an application is filed or the license issued, the applicant or licensee must notify the MRC of the changes within five days of this occurrence and provide the information required by the Racing Act.

 

Advanced Deposit Wagering Legislation

 

Minnesota ADW legislation that became effective November 1, 2016, requires ADW providers to be licensed by the MRC and established licensing criteria and regulatory oversight of ADW providers doing business in the State of Minnesota. The law allows licensed racetracks to negotiate separate agreements with the ADW providers to remit source market fees to those racetracks. The ADW source market revenue to the Company totaled approximately $1,511,000 and $1,382,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As part of the agreement, 50% of source market fees is allocated to purse accounts and the MBF.

 

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act

 

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which was passed at the end of 2020 and amended in late 2022, creates uniform national standards for thoroughbred racing in the areas of racetrack safety and medication. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority was established to enforce HISA and operates under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission. In addition to oversight by the MRC, our Racetracks and their participants are subject to the HISA equine safety, welfare and drug testing rules and regulations established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority under HISA.

 

Sports Betting

 

As of the date of filing this Form 10-K, the Minnesota legislature is considering a bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota at tribal casinos and online through mobile applications operated by the tribes. It is not certain whether this bill will be adopted into law. If sports betting were legalized in Minnesota for tribal casinos and through mobile applications operated by the tribes, we would experience increased competition from the tribal casinos which could divert customers from our Casino and Racetrack and thus adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

10

 

Local Regulation

 

The Company’s operations are subject to state and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and other provisions affecting zoning, public health, and other matters that may have the effect of restricting the uses to which the Company’s land and other assets may be used. Also, any development of the Racetrack site and Canterbury Commons is, among other things, subject to applicable zoning ordinances and requires approval by the City of Shakopee and other authorities. There can be no assurance these approvals will be obtained for any future development the Company proposes.

 

Minimum Wage Legislation

 

Minnesota has adopted a minimum wage law that sets the minimum hourly wage that must be paid to most Company employees. Beginning January 1, 2018, the minimum wage increases at the beginning of each year by the rate of inflation with a maximum increase of up to 2.5% per year. The minimum wage for 2022 was $10.33 per hour and for 2023 is $10.59 per hour. This legislation has had an adverse financial impact on the Company by increasing expenses and we expect will continue to have an adverse impact on the Company. From time to time, we have implemented measures to partially mitigate the impact of increases in the minimum wage by raising our prices and reducing our employee count. These measures could themselves have an adverse effect because higher prices and diminished service levels may discourage customers from visiting the Racetrack.

 

Cooperative Marketing Agreement

 

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA was to increase purses paid during live horse racing at Canterbury Park’s Racetrack in order to strengthen Minnesota’s thoroughbred and quarter horse through horse industry. Under the CMA, as amended, this was achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA.

 

Because the Company conducted a more limited 2020 live race meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company and SMSC entered into the Fifth Amendment Agreement (“Fifth Amendment”) to the CMA effective June 8, 2020. 

 

Under the CMA, as amended, SMSC also agreed to make “Marketing Payments” to the Company relating to joint marketing efforts for the mutual benefit of the Company and SMSC, including signage, joint promotions, player benefits, and events.

 

Pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, SMSC was obligated to make annual purse enhancements of $7,380,000 and an annual marketing payment of $1,620,000 for both 2021 and 2022. 

 

The purse enhancement payments to horsemen had no direct impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or operations. See the Management's Discussion and Analysis Section of this Form 10-K and footnote 11 of the consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on the CMA.

 

The CMA expired by its terms on December 31, 2022. Following the expiration of the CMA on December 31, 2022, we will not receive any purse enhancement, marketing payments or other amounts under the CMA.

 

Marketing

 

The Company’s primary market is the seven-county Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Dakota, Scott, and Carver) plus the two counties to the south of the Racetrack and Casino (Le Sueur and Rice). The City of Shakopee, located in the southwestern portion of the metropolitan area, is one of the fastest growing communities in the region, and Scott County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country.

 

To support its pari-mutuel horse racing, Casino, and catering and events businesses, the Company conducts year-round marketing efforts to maintain the loyalty of existing customers and attract new players to the property. The Company uses radio, television, digital advertising, social media, print advertising, and direct marketing to communicate to its audiences. In addition to its regular advertising and communication program, the Company conducts numerous special promotions, handicapping contests, and poker tournaments to attract incremental visits. The Company also uses a robust player rewards and database marketing program to enhance the loyalty of its guests.

 

The Company continues to focus on creating a premier guest experience as the core element of its marketing efforts. This includes delivering great customer service, developing new food and beverage offerings, creating fan education programs, and providing entertainment opportunities that go beyond the traditional pari-mutuel wagering and card playing activities.

 

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Human Capital and Team Members

 

Talent Management 

 

At December 31, 2022, the Company had 241 full-time team members and 512 part-time team members. The Company adds approximately 350 team members on a seasonal basis for live racing operations from early May until early September. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the entertainment industry, and actions that we and others in the industry took in response to COVID-19 (including implementing furloughs, reduced work week schedules, temporarily pay reductions, and eliminating a number of job positions) have adversely affected our ability to attract and retain team members. As entertainment demand recovers from the lows seen in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen and continue to see industry-wide labor shortages causing challenges in hiring or re-hiring for certain positions. In response, we have enhanced our recruitment and retention efforts and increased compensation where needed to maintain competitiveness in this extremely difficult market. 

 

We also offer benefits to eligible employees, including participation in our KSOP Plan (the “KSOP”) that includes the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) and the 401(k) Plan. Beginning January 1, 2016, the matching of employee contributions were issued in Company stock, which we believe aligns the interests of Company employees with our shareholders and allows employees to participate in the success that they help create at our company.

 

Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract, retain, train, lead, and motivate skilled team members. To facilitate the recruitment, development, and retention of our valuable team members, we strive to make Canterbury Park a diverse, inclusive, and safe workplace, with opportunities for our team to grow and develop.  The Company offers training and development opportunities for team members to enhance leadership and communication skills. The Company also has created various internal committees, including a specific rewards and recognition committee to support our team member recognition programs.  To help retain talent, we measure team member engagement, including conducting regular engagement surveys to all team members. The most recent survey was conducted in 2022 and reflected an engagement level among our team members that exceeded the average engagement levels of benchmarked companies. 

 

Health and Safety

 

During 2021 and 2022, we continued to focus significant attention to enhancing health and safety protocols, including in response to COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, our employee guidelines and policies are founded on our cornerstones of safety, service, courtesy, cleanliness, and integrity. We are committed to equal opportunity employment and prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind. We have adopted an open door policy to encourage an honest employer-associate relationship which includes a confidential hotline available to all employees. 

 

Executive Officers

 

The executive officers of the Company, their ages and their positions with the Company at March 15, 2023 are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position with Company

Randall D. Sampson

 

64

 

President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board

         

Randy J. Dehmer

 

40

 

Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO

 

Randall D. Sampson has been President and Chief Executive Officer since the formation of the Company in March 1994. Mr. Sampson was also named Chairman of the Board on October 3, 2019. He has been active in horse industry associations, currently serving as Director of the Thoroughbred Racetracks of America and is a past Vice President of the Thoroughbred Racetracks of America and past President of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association. Mr. Sampson also currently serves as a director of Pineapple Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PEGY), a growing domestic operator and consolidator of residential solar, battery storage, and grid service solutions based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. 

 

Randy J. Dehmer was hired as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer in May 2019, and promoted to Senior Vice President of Finance in September 2021. Mr. Dehmer worked for the Company from December 2007 to August 2013, most recently serving as controller from March 2012 to August 2013. Prior to rejoining the Company, he served as financial controller for Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLFD), which designs, manufactures and distributes fiber protection, fiber management and fiber delivery solutions, from September 2013 to May 2019. Mr. Dehmer also currently serves as a director on the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce board.

 

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course of business that are common to all businesses, important factors that are specific to our industry and us could materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and the market price of our common stock.  Although we believe that we have identified and discussed below the material risk factors affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be material that may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, or the market price of our common stock.

 

Risk Factors Related to Horse Racing and Gaming Generally 

 

Our business is sensitive to reductions in discretionary consumer spending as a result of downturns in the economy and other factors outside of our control.

 

Our business is particularly sensitive to downturns in the economy and the associated impact on discretionary spending on entertainment, gaming and other leisure activities. Our in-person visitors are predominately local, so we compete for more day-to-day discretionary spending as compared with destination spending. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending or consumer preferences brought about by factors such as perceived or actual general economic conditions or the economic conditions in the Twin Cities or Minnesota specifically, effects of declines in consumer confidence in the economy, any future employment and credit crisis, the impact of high and prolonged inflation, particularly with respect to housing, energy and food costs, the increased cost of travel, decreased disposable consumer income and wealth, fears of war and future acts of terrorism, or widespread illnesses or epidemics, including COVID-19, can have a material adverse effect on discretionary spending and other areas of economic behavior that directly impact the gaming and entertainment industries in general and could further reduce customer demand in our casino, Racetrack and food and beverage segments, which may negatively impact our revenues and operating cash flow.

 

Because purse enhancement payments and marketing payments under our CMA with SMSC will not continue after December 31, 2022, we are likely to experience decreased revenue and profitability from live racing.

 

Following the expiration of the CMA on December 31, 2022, we will not receive any purse enhancement, marketing payments or other amounts under the CMA.  In 2022, the SMSC paid an annual purse enhancement of $7,280,000 and an annual marketing payment of $1,620,000. The purse enhancement payments were paid directly to the MHBPA and accordingly, such payments had no direct impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or operations. The marketing payments under the CMA offset the Company’s expense relating to certain marketing efforts, including signage, promotions, player benefits, and events.

 

Accordingly, due to the lack of an annual purse enhancement, the purses we are able to offer for our live racing events after December 31, 2022 are likely to be smaller than they have been in the past.  This may result in a decrease in field size and decrease in wagering on live races (particularly out-of-state handle), which ultimately result in a decrease in revenue from live racing.  For the year ended December 31, 2022, pari-mutuel revenue was $10,958,000, or 16.4%, of total revenues.

 

If revenue decreases from live racing, the profitability of live racing will likely also decrease due to the fixed expenses relating to live racing and the lack of marketing payments under the CMA. We also will bear increased marketing expenses relating to our casino and food and beverage segments without the marketing payments under the CMA.  While we are pursuing initiatives to strengthen the financial returns of live racing at the Racetrack and to manage our marketing spend, there can be no assurance that we will identify and implement initiatives that will advance these goals in a cost-effective or timely manner or at all.

 

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We may not be able to attract a sufficient number of horses and trainers to achieve above average field sizes.

 

We believe that patrons prefer to wager on races with a number of horses in the race (the “field”) at or above the national average. A failure to offer races with adequate fields results in less wagering on our horse races. Our ability to attract adequate fields depends on several factors. First, it depends on our ability to offer and fund competitive purses. Second, it depends on the overall horse population available for racing. Various factors have led to declines in the horse population in some areas of the country, including competition from racetracks in other areas, increased costs, and changing economic returns for owners and breeders, and the spread of various debilitating and contagious equine diseases. If our racetrack is faced with a sustained outbreak of a contagious equine disease, it could have a material impact on our profitability.

 

Finally, if we are unable to attract horse owners to stable and race their horses at our racetrack by offering a competitive environment, including high-quality facilities, a well-maintained racetrack, comfortable conditions for backstretch personnel involved in the care and training of horses stabled at our racetrack, and a competitive purse structure, our profitability could also decrease. We also face increased competition for horses and trainers from racetracks that are licensed to operate slot machines and other electronic gaming machines that provide these racetracks an advantage in generating new additional revenues for race purses and capital improvements. While our ability to offer adequate fields to patrons during our live meets was substantially strengthened by the purse enhancement payments that were made under the CMA through 2022, our inability to attract adequate fields, for whatever reason, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

We face significant competition, both directly from other racing and gaming operations and indirectly from other forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

We face intense competition in our market, particularly competition from Running Aces in Columbus Township, Anoka County, Minnesota, a racetrack and card room that is located approximately 50 miles from Canterbury Park. 

 

We also compete with Native American owned casinos. These Native American facilities have the advantage of being exempt from some state and federal taxes and state regulation of indoor smoking, and have the ability to offer a wider variety of gaming products. 

 

Internet-based interactive gaming and wagering, both legal and illegal, is growing rapidly and we anticipate competition in this area will become more intense as new Internet-based ventures enter our industry and as state and federal regulations on Internet-based activities are clarified. Additionally, we compete with other forms of gambling, including betting on professional sports, spectator sports, other forms of entertainment, and other racetracks throughout the country. 

 

We expect competition for our existing and future operations to increase from Running Aces, existing tribal casinos, and racetracks that are able to subsidize their purses with alternative gaming revenues. Competition for simulcasting customers will be intense given the 2016 legalization of online internet wagering on horse racing in Minnesota, through ADW providers. In addition, several of our tribal gaming competitors in Minnesota have substantially larger marketing and financial resources than we do and this competition may increase if sports betting is legalized in Minnesota at tribal casinos and online through mobile applications operated by the tribes. Increased competition from the tribal casinos could divert customers from our Casino and Racetrack and thus adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Nationally, the popularity of horse racing has declined.

 

There has been a general decline in the number of people wagering on live horse races at North American racetracks, either in person or via simulcasting, due to a number of factors, including increased competition from other wagering and entertainment alternatives as discussed above. According to industry sources, pari-mutuel handle declined 27% from 2007 to 2011 and has been relatively stable since 2011, experiencing less than a 1% decline between 2011 and 2019. Pari-mutuel handle declined more than 1% in 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic, however, pari-mutuel handle returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021. Declining interest in horse racing has had a negative impact on revenues and profitability in our racing business. However, as a result of the purse enhancement payments and marketing payments we received under the CMA, we outperformed the industry as it relates to field size, live handle, and simulcast handle in 2022. Regardless, we recognize that a general decline in interest in horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations in future years.

 

14

 

A lack of confidence in the integrity of our core businesses could affect our ability to retain our customers and engage with new customers.

 

The integrity of horse racing, casino gaming, and pari-mutuel wagering industries must be perceived as fair to patrons and the public at large. To prevent cheating or erroneous payouts, oversight processes must be in place to ensure that these activities cannot be manipulated. A loss of confidence in the fairness of our industries could have a material adverse impact on our business.

 

Horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport and our racetrack is subject to personal injury litigation.

 

Although we carry jockey accident insurance at our racetrack to cover personal jockey injuries that may occur during races or daily workouts, there are certain exclusions to our insurance coverage, and we are still subject to litigation from injured participants. We renew our insurance policies on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so high that we may need to further reduce our policy limits or agree to certain exclusions from our coverage. Our results may be affected by the outcome of litigation, as this litigation could be costly and time consuming and could divert our management and key personnel from our business operations.

 

Our business depends on using totalizator services.

 

Our customers use information provided by a third party vendor that accumulates wagers, records sales, calculates payoffs, and displays wagering data in a secure manner to patrons who wager on our horse races. Any failure to keep this technology current could limit our ability to serve patrons effectively or develop new forms of wagering or affect the security of the wagering process, thus affecting patron confidence in our product. A perceived lack of integrity in the wagering systems could result in a decline in bettor confidence and could lead to a decline in the amount wagered on horse racing. In addition, a totalizator system failure could cause a considerable loss of revenue if betting machines are unavailable for a significant period of time or during an event with high betting volume.

 

Inclement weather and other conditions may affect our ability to conduct live racing.

 

Since horse racing is conducted outdoors, unfavorable weather conditions, including extremely high and low temperatures, high winds, storms, tornadoes and hurricanes, could cause events to be postponed or canceled or attendance to be lower, resulting in reduced wagering. Our operations, as well as the racetracks from which we receive simulcast signals, are subject to reduced patronage, disruptions, or complete cessation of operations due to weather conditions, natural disasters, and other casualties. If a business interruption were to occur due to inclement weather and continue for a significant length of time at our racetrack, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The Company maintains insurance for incremental weather conditions that would help mitigate the financial impact on our business.

 

Our business and operations have been, and may in the future, be adversely affected by epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of disease, and other adverse public health developments, including COVID-19.

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we temporarily suspended all Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations at Canterbury Park or operated with capacity and other restrictions throughout much of 2020 and the first half of 2021, although to a much lesser extent than 2020. These suspension of operations and capacity restrictions caused significant disruptions to our ability to generate revenues, profitability, and cash flows and had a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. While we have returned to more normalized operations, there remains continuing logistical challenges faced by the entire gaming industry resulting from COVID-19-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. Future disruptions, as well as significant negative economic trends, due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other widespread illnesses or epidemics, may adversely affect our stock price.

 

Epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of novel diseases, and other adverse public health developments may arise at any time. Such developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have had, and in the future may have, an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These effects include a potentially negative impact on the availability of our key personnel, labor shortages and increased turnover, temporary closures of Canterbury Park or the businesses of our business partners, third-party service providers or other vendors, and interruption of domestic and global supply chains, distribution channels and liquidity and capital or financial markets. The impact of a widespread illnesses or epidemics, including COVID-19, may also have the effect of exacerbating many of the other risks we face.

 

15

 

Risks Related to Government Regulation of our Horse Racing and Gaming Generally

 

We are subject to changes in the laws that govern our business, including the possibility of an increase in gaming taxes, which would increase our costs, and changes in other laws may adversely affect our ability to compete.

 

Our operations and oversight by the MRC are ultimately subject to the laws of Minnesota including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Racing Act and HISA, and there exists the risk that these laws may be amended in ways adverse to our operations. In particular, we are required to pay special racing-related and Casino-related taxes and fees in addition to normal federal, state, and local income taxes as well as potential costs related to HISA regulations. These taxes and fees are subject to increase at any time. From time to time, state and local legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of laws affecting our industry, such as the allocation of each wagering pool to winning bettors, the Racetrack, purses, and the MBF. In addition, poor economic conditions could intensify the efforts of state and local governments to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes. It is not possible to predict with certainty the likelihood of changes in tax laws or in the administration of these laws. These changes, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation from gaming authorities that could adversely affect us.

 

We are subject to significant regulation by the MRC under the Racing Act and the rules adopted by the MRC. The MRC has the authority to increase the Class A and Class B license fees. In addition, the Minnesota Racing Act requires that we reimburse the MRC for its actual costs of regulating the Casino, including personnel costs. Increases in these licensing and regulatory costs could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Amendments to the Minnesota Racing Act or decisions by the MRC in regard to any one or more of the following matters could also adversely affect the Company’s operations: the granting of operating licenses to Canterbury Park and other racetracks after an application process and public hearings; the licensing of all track employees, jockeys, trainers, veterinarians, and other participants; regulating the transfer of ownership interests in licenses; allocating live race days and simulcast-only race days; approving race programs; regulating the conduct of races; setting specifications for the racing ovals, animal facilities, employee quarters, and public areas of racetracks; changes to the types of wagers on horse races; and approval of significant contractual agreements

 

Risks Related to our Real Estate Development Efforts

 

We rely on the efforts of our partner Doran for the development and profitable operation of our Triple Crown Residences at Canterbury Park joint venture.

 

On April 2, 2018, Canterbury Development entered into an operating agreement with an affiliate of Doran Companies (“Doran”), a national commercial and residential real estate developer, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named Doran Canterbury I, LLC (“Doran Canterbury I”) to construct an upscale apartment complex called the Triple Crown Residences. In September 2018, Canterbury Development contributed approximately 13 acres of land as its equity contribution in the Doran Canterbury I joint venture and became a 27.4% equity member. Construction of the 321-unit first phase began in late 2018 with initial occupancy on June 1, 2020. As of the end of December 2021, all 321 units were available for occupancy.

 

In August 2020, Doran exercised its option for Phase II of the project, which will include an additional 300 residential units, and Canterbury Development entered into a second joint venture agreement with Doran. Pursuant to this second agreement, in early August 2020, the Company transferred roughly 10 acres of land to the second joint venture with Doran. In addition to receiving 27.4% ownership in the Doran Phase II joint venture, the exchange resulted in the repayment of a $2.9 million note receivable which was on the Company’s balance sheet as a related party receivable as of June 30, 2020. 

 

Canterbury Development will rely on Doran for the successful leasing and operation of the Triple Crown Residences as well as completion of the second phase of the project. 

 

16

 

We rely on the efforts of our partner Greystone Construction for a new development project. 

 

On June 16, 2020, Canterbury Development entered into an operating agreement with an affiliate of Greystone Construction, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named Canterbury DBSV Development, LLC (Canterbury DBSV). Canterbury DBSV was formed as part of a joint venture between Greystone and Canterbury Development LLC for a multi-use development on the 13-acre land parcel located on the southwest portion of the Company’s racetrack. Canterbury Development’s equity contribution to Canterbury DBSV was approximately 13 acres of land, which were contributed to Canterbury DBSV on July 1, 2020. In connection with its contribution, Canterbury Development became a 61.87% equity member in Canterbury DBSV. The Company will rely on the efforts of our partner Greystone Construction for the success of this new development project. 

 

We may not be successful in executing our real estate development strategy. 

 

Canterbury Development is currently pursuing other opportunities for the commercial development of its underutilized land. The development of residential and commercial real estate involves many risks, including, but not limited to, the selection of development partners; building design and construction; obtaining government permits; financing; securing and retaining tenants; and the volatility of real estate market conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our real estate development activities will be successful.

 

We are obligated to make improvements in the TIF district and will be reimbursed only to the extent of future tax revenue.

 

Under the Redevelopment Agreement with the City of Shakopee, the Company has agreed to undertake a number of specific public infrastructure improvements within the TIF District. The funding that the Company will be paid as reimbursement under the TIF program for these improvements is not guaranteed, but will depend on future tax revenues generated from the developed property.

 

 

General Risk Factors

 

We may be adversely affected by the effects of inflation.

 

Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position and liquidity by increasing our overall cost structure. The existence of inflation in the economy has the potential to result in higher interest rates and capital costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor and other similar effects. As a result of inflation, we have experienced and may continue to experience, increases in the costs of food and beverage supplies, labor, materials, energy, fuel, and other inputs. Although we may take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation through pricing actions and efficiency gains, if these measures are not effective our business, results of operations, financial position and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost inflation is incurred. Additionally, the pricing actions we take could result in a decrease in market share.

 

An increase in the minimum wage mandated under Federal or Minnesota law could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

 

The Company employs a large number of individuals at an hourly wage equal to or slightly above the current state mandated wage of $10.59 per hour for 2023. See “Regulation and Regulatory Changes” above for additional information regarding minimum wage legislation. Most of these employees are either high school or college students employed on a seasonal basis or tipped employees, many of whom receive, on average, tip income that is significantly higher than the current minimum wage. From time to time, legislation is introduced in the U.S. Congress or the Minnesota legislature that would substantially increase the minimum wage. Passage of legislation that would substantially increase the minimum wage could have a material adverse impact on the Company. Additionally, the Minnesota minimum wage annually increases at the beginning of each year by the rate of inflation with a maximum increase of up to 2.5% per year.  Multi-year increases in the Minnesota minimum wage due to sustained inflation could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

17

 

Our success may be affected if we are not able to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel.

 

Our ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to identify, recruit, develop and retain qualified personnel.  In particular, we depend upon the skills and efforts of our senior executives and management team including Randall D. Sampson, who has served as our Chief Executive Officer since 1994. If we are unable to successfully identify, recruit, develop and retain qualified personnel or adapt to changing worker expectations and working arrangements, it may be difficult for us to manage and grow our business, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, our inability to retain the key members of our senior executives and management team could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

The payment and amount of future dividends is subject to Board of Director discretion and to various risks and uncertainties.

 

The payment and amount of future quarterly dividends is within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on factors the Board deems relevant at each time it considers declaring a dividend. These factors include, but are not limited to: available cash; management’s expectations regarding future performance and free cash flow; alternative uses of cash to fund capital expenditures and real estate development; and the effect of various risks and uncertainties described in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risk including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security.

 

We rely on information technology and other systems to maintain and transmit customers’ personal and financial information, credit card information, mailing lists and other information. We have taken steps designed to safeguard our customers’ personal and financial information and have implemented systems designed to meet all requirements of the Payment Card Industry standards for data protection. However, our information and processes are subject to the ever-changing threat of compromised security, in the form of a risk of potential breach, system failure, computer virus, or unauthorized or fraudulent access or use by unauthorized individuals. The steps we take to deter and mitigate these risks may not be successful, and any resulting compromise or loss of data or systems could adversely impact operations or regulatory compliance and could result in remedial expenses, fines, litigation and loss of reputation, potentially impacting our financial results. Although we have invested in and deployed security systems and developed processes that are designed to protect all sensitive data, prevent data loss and reduce the impact of any security breach, such measures cannot provide absolute security.

 

We process, store, and use personal information and other data, which subjects us to governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business.

 

We receive, store, and process personal information and other customer data. There are numerous federal, state, and local laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, processing, disclosure and protection of personal information and other data. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to customers or other third parties, or our privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other player data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could cause our customers to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

 

While we maintain insurance coverage specific to cyber-insurance matters, any failure on our part to maintain adequate safeguards may subject us to significant liabilities.

 

18

 

Additionally, if third parties we work with, such as vendors, violate applicable laws or our policies, these violations may also put our customers’ information at risk and could in turn have an adverse effect on our business. The Company is also subject to payment card association rules and obligations under its contracts with payment card processors. Under these rules and obligations, if information is compromised, the Company could be liable to payment card issuers for the associated expense and penalties. In addition, if the Company fails to follow payment card industry security standards, even if no customer information is compromised, the Company could incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in payment card transaction costs.

 

We are also subject to federal and Minnesota laws that affect businesses generally. Some of these laws, such as laws pertaining to immigration, have severe penalties for law violations. In addition, it is possible, as a result of the legislative process, that legislation directly or indirectly adverse to the Company may be enacted into law. 

 

Provisions of Minnesota law, our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and other agreements may deter a change of control of our company and may have a possible negative effect on our stock price.

 

Certain provisions of Minnesota law, our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and other agreements may make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company, including:

 

 

the provisions of Minnesota law relating to business combinations and control share acquisitions;

 

the provisions of our bylaws regarding the business properly brought before shareholders and shareholder director nominations;

 

the right of our Board to establish more than one class or series of shares and to fix the relative rights and preferences of any such different classes or series;

 

the provisions of our articles of incorporation providing for a right, if specified events occur relating to our gaming license, to redeem all or any portion of the equity securities held by any person or group that becomes the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of our equity securities or increases its beneficial ownership of any class of our equity securities by 5% or more;

 

the provisions of our Stock Plan requiring or permitting the acceleration of vesting of awards granted under the Stock Plan in the event of specified events that generally would constitute a change in control; and

 

the provisions of our agreements provide for severance payments to our executive officers and other officers and the accelerated vesting or payment of their awards in the event of certain terminations following a “change in control.”

 

These measures could discourage or prevent a takeover of our company or changes in our management, even if an acquisition or such changes would be beneficial to our shareholders. This may have a negative effect on the price of our common stock.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

General

 

The Company’s facilities, which are owned and operated under the name “Canterbury Park,” are a modern complex of buildings and grounds that include racing surfaces, a grandstand, event center, barn and backside facilities, and parking in Shakopee, Minnesota. The Racetrack’s grandstand has a patron capacity of approximately 10,000 within enclosed areas and a maximum patron capacity of over 30,000 including outside areas around the grandstand. In connection with the Company's general credit and security agreement, the Company's land used for business operations is subject to a mortgage with a financial institution as additional collateral on its line of credit. 

 

19

 

Underutilized Land

 

In 2022, the Company sold approximately four acres of land to the west of the Racetrack. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has approximately 75 acres of land remaining that are owned or controlled by the Company that are not currently used for its business operations, and could be developed or sold, in whole or in part. See discussion above titled “Development Operations” and footnote 12 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Company. From time to time, the Company is party to ordinary and routine litigation or claims incidental to our business. We do not expect the outcome of any such litigation or claims pending at this time to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol CPHC.

 

HOLDERS

 

At March 15, 2023, the Company had 577 shareholders of record of its common stock.

 

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2022 regarding our equity compensation plans, all of which were approved by our shareholders:

 

 

                   

Plan Category

 

Number of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1)

   

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

   

Number of shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (2)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

                       

Stock Plan

    48,430     $       143,230  

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

                95,866  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:

                       

Total

    48,430               239,096  

 

(1) For the Stock Plan, represents number of shares that may be issued upon settlement of outstanding deferred stock awards.

(2) Excludes shares of common stock listed in the first column

 

20

Item 6. [RESERVED]


Item 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand Canterbury Park Holding Corporation, our operations, our financial results and financial condition, and our present business environment. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (the “Notes”). Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements included in this discussion as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) hosts pari-mutuel wagering on thoroughbred and quarter horse races and “unbanked” card games at its Canterbury Park Racetrack and Casino facility (the “Racetrack”) in Shakopee, Minnesota, which is approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The Racetrack is the only facility in the State of Minnesota that offers live pari-mutuel thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

 

The Company’s pari-mutuel wagering operations include both wagering on thoroughbred and quarter horse races during live meets at the Racetrack each year from May through September, and year-round wagering on races primarily held at out-of-state racetracks that are televised simultaneously at the Racetrack (“simulcasting”). Unbanked card games, in which patrons compete against each other, are hosted in the Casino at the Racetrack. The Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Casino offers both poker and table games at up to 80 tables. The Company also derives revenues from related services and activities, such as food and beverage, parking, advertising signage, publication sales, and from other entertainment events and activities held at the Racetrack.

 

In 2022, Canterbury Development continued to pursue various development opportunities begun in 2015 for its underutilized land in a project known as Canterbury Commons. These development opportunities have included contributions of land to joint ventures, three as of the end of December 2022, and sales of parcels of land to third parties that will then develop the property. Our long-term strategic direction is to continue to enhance our Racetrack as a unique gaming and entertainment destination and develop the approximately 80 acres of underutilized land not needed for our Racetrack Operations. 

 

In the first half of 2021, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the financial condition and operations of the segments within Canterbury Entertainment, although to a much lesser extent than 2020. We temporarily suspended all Casino, simulcast, and special event operations at Canterbury Park for a total of approximately one week at the beginning of January 2021. Additionally, effective May 28, 2021, all capacity limits, restrictions on large gatherings, and other restrictions, which had been implemented in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, were lifted and our Racetrack began operating under pre-pandemic guidelines. Our Casino also began operating without capacity restrictions effective May 28, 2021, but we maintained throughout the balance of 2021 and throughout 2022 and intend to maintain certain operational changes and improvements initiated in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, our horse racing, casino, and food and beverage operations were not subject to any COVID-19 related closures or capacity limitations.

 

The following summarizes our financial performance for the last five years (in 000’s):

 

Financial Performance Summary

 

2022

   

2021

     

2020

     

2019

     

2018

   

Net Revenues

  $ 66,824     $ 60,400       $ 33,140       $ 59,227       $ 59,142    

Operating Expenses

    55,943       42,882   (1)     34,882   (2)     55,591   (3)     53,866   (4)

Gain on Transfer/Sale of Land

    12       264         2,368                 2,371    

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

    10,235       15,798         (189 )       3,963         7,708    

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit

    (2,722 )     (3,999 )       1,251         (1,244 )       (1,990 )  

Net Income

    7,513       11,798         1,062         2,718         5,718    

1 During fiscal year 2021, the Company reduced operating expenses $6,314,000 by recording an employee retention credit, a refundable tax credit. 

2

During fiscal year 2019, the Company reduced operating expenses $21,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries.

3

During fiscal year 2018, the Company reduced operating expenses $141,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries.

4

During fiscal year 2017, the Company reduced operating expenses by $1,465,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries. 

 

21

EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

 

The employee retention credit (“ERC”), as originally enacted on March 27, 2020 by the CARES Act, is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (the “Relief Act”), enacted on December 27, 2020, amended, and extended the ERC. The Relief Act extended and enhanced the ERC for qualified wages paid after December 31, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Under the Relief Act, eligible employers may claim a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 70% of the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees after December 31, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The purpose of the ERC is to encourage employers to keep employees on the payroll, even if they are not working during the covered period because of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The Company qualified for federal government assistance through the ERC provisions for the 2020 second, third, and fourth quarters, as well as the 2021 first and second quarters. We recognize government grants for which there is a reasonable assurance of compliance with grant conditions and receipt of credits. The Company's expected one-time refunds at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $6,103,236 and $6,314,468, respectively, and are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an employee retention credit receivable, as well as on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a credit to salaries and benefits expense in 2021. 

 

We expect to receive the remaining employee retention credit payments in 2023. Upon receipt, we expect to allocate these funds towards a combination of further investment in our team members, growth investments, capital expenditures, and deferred maintenance capital spending. 

 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

 

YEAR ENDED December 31, 2022 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED December 31, 2021

 

EBITDA represents earnings before interest income, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as an indicator of our operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We present EBITDA as a supplemental disclosure for our Racetrack Operations because it is a widely used measure of performance of and basis for valuation of companies in the gaming industry. Other companies that provide EBITDA information may calculate EBITDA differently than we do. We also compute Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, which reflects additional adjustments to EBITDA to eliminate unusual or non-recurring items, as well as items relating to our real estate development operations. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Adjusted EBITDA excluded from EBITDA the gain on sale of land, loss on disposal of assets, and depreciation, amortization and interest related to equity investments. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA excluded from EBITDA the gain on transfer of land, employee retention credit, and depreciation, amortization and interest related to equity investments, as well as $515,000 of COVID-19 relief grants included in other revenue for that year. 

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income, a GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (defined above), which are non-GAAP measures, for the years ended:

 

SUMMARY OF EBITDA DATA

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

NET INCOME

  $ 7,512,946     $ 11,798,153  

Interest income, net

    (909,958 )     (719,365 )

Income tax (benefit) expense

    2,721,800       3,999,400  

Depreciation

    2,981,168       2,844,647  

EBITDA

    12,305,956       17,922,835  

Loss on disposal of assets

    157,435        

Gain on sale/transfer of land

    (12,151 )     (263,581 )

Employee Retention Credit

          (6,314,468 )

Depreciation and amortization related to equity investments

    1,782,870       1,735,883  

Interest expense related to equity investments

    907,099       905,729  

Other revenue, COVID-19 relief grants

          (515,000 )

ADJUSTED EBITDA

  $ 15,141,209     $ 13,471,398  

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased $1,670,000, or 12.4%, for 2022 compared to 2021. For 2022, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue was 22.8%. For 2021, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue, excluding the $515,000 other revenue from COVID-19 relief grants, was 22.5%.

22

 

REVENUES

 

Total net revenues for 2022 were $66,824,000, an increase of $6,424,000, or 10.6%, compared to total net revenues of $60,400,000 for 2021. For 2022 as compared to 2021, total pari-mutuel revenue increased 7.0%, Casino revenue increased 5.6%, food and beverage revenue increased 33.0%, and other revenue increased 26.2%. See below for a further discussion of our sources of revenues for each of our pari-mutuel, Casino, food and beverage, and other revenues. 

 

PARI-MUTUEL REVENUES

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Simulcast

  $ 3,862,000     $ 3,959,000  

Live racing

    1,890,000       1,663,000  

Guest fees

    3,517,000       3,236,000  

Other revenue

    1,689,000       1,386,000  

Total Pari-Mutuel Revenue

  $ 10,958,000     $ 10,244,000  
                 

Racing Days

               

Simulcast only racing days

    290       289  

Live and simulcast racing days

    64       65  

Total Number of Racing Days

    354       354  

 

Simulcast and Live Racing pari-mutuel revenues include commission and breakage revenues from on-track live and simulcast wagering. We receive guest fees from out-of-state racetracks and ADW companies for out-of-state wagering on our live races. Other revenues include source market fees paid by ADW companies for wagers made by Minnesota residents on out-of-state races and proceeds from unredeemed pari-mutuel tickets.

 

Total 2022 pari-mutuel revenue increased $714,000, or 7.0%, compared to 2021. The increase in revenue in 2022 compared to 2021 is due to increased business levels, including higher attendance, visitation, and per cap spend from consumers that attended our live race meet and increased revenue from out-of-state wagers.

 

CASINO REVENUES

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Poker Games Collection

  $ 7,607,000     $ 7,110,000  

Other Poker Revenue

    2,875,000       2,133,000  

Total Poker Revenue

    10,482,000       9,243,000  
                 

Table Games Collection

    27,392,000       27,120,000  

Other Table Games Revenue

    2,345,000       1,728,000  

Total Table Games Revenue

    29,737,000       28,848,000  
                 

Total Casino Revenue

  $ 40,219,000     $ 38,091,000  

 

The primary source of Casino revenue is a percentage of the wagers received from the players as compensation for providing the Casino facility and services, referred to as “collection revenue.” Other Revenue presented above includes fees collected for the administration of tournaments and amounts earned as reimbursement of the administrative costs of maintaining jackpot funds. Casino revenue represented 60.2% and 63.1% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Total Casino revenue increased $2,128,000, or 5.6%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is due to increased visitation as we returned to more normalized operations in 2022 as described above, as well as increased poker drop and tournament revenue in 2022 from the removal of various capacity restrictions that were in effect through May 28, 2021. We also intend to maintain certain operational changes and improvements, to both poker and table games, which we believe is preferred by players and is contributing to increased revenue and margins. 

 

23

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE REVENUES

 

Food and beverage revenue increased $2,041,000, or 33.0%, to $8,227,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is due to increased visitation in 2022 as our business recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic described above. The Company also increased prices related to food and beverage sales to offset rising inflationary costs. Furthermore, the increase is due to being able to host large scale events in 2022, including a three-day music festival and nine-show concert series in the 2022 third quarter. As noted above, all capacity limits which had been implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted on May 28, 2021. 

 

OTHER REVENUES

 

Other revenue, consisting of admission revenues, corporate sponsorships, space rentals, and other miscellaneous activities, increased $1,541,000, or 26.2%, to $7,420,000 in 2022 compared to 2021. Other revenue for 2021 benefited from a one-time $515,00 COVID-19 relief grant. The increase in 2022 as compared to 2021 is due to the return of more normalized operations, emphasized by hosting a three-day music festival and ten-show concert series in the 2022 third quarter. 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Total operating expenses increased $13,100,000, or 30.5%, to $55,943,000 in 2022, from $42,882,000 in 2021. Total operating expenses as of December 31, 2021 includes a credit to salaries and benefits of $6,314,000 related to the employee retention credit described above. Excluding the employee retention credit, total operating expenses increased $6,748,000, or 13.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021 due to increases in all categories of expense as we returned to more normalized operations in 2022 as compared to 2021. Total operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 83.7% in 2022 from 81.5% in 2021 when removing the employee retention credit from 2021.

 

Total purse expense increased $492,000, or 6.1%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is due to increases in Casino and pari-mutuel revenues. This also resulted in an increase in Minnesota Breeders' Fund (the "MBF") expense (shown below). As discussed in greater detail in Item 1 above, Minnesota law requires us to allocate a portion of Casino revenues, wagering handle on simulcast and live horse races, and ADW source market fees for future payment as purses for live horse races and other authorized uses. While most of these amounts were paid into the purse funds for thoroughbred and quarter horse races, Minnesota law requires that a portion of the amounts allocated for purses be paid into the MBF.

 

                   

Minnesota Breeders’

 
   

Purse Expense

   

Fund Expense

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2022

   

2021

 

Casino

  $ 4,852,000     $ 4,584,000     $ 539,000     $ 509,000  

Simulcast Racing

    1,477,000       1,463,000       482,000       467,000  

Live Racing

    2,201,000       1,991,000       98,000       85,000  

Total

  $ 8,530,000     $ 8,038,000     $ 1,119,000     $ 1,061,000  

 

Salaries and benefits expense increased $9,249,000, or 61.2%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is due to the $6,314,000 employee retention credit claimed under the CARES Act in 2021 that did not offset salaries and benefits expense in 2022. Excluding the employee retention credit, salaries and benefits expense increased $2,935,000, or 13.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in 2022 is due to an increase in overall business operations, an increase in the number of personnel to support our resumption of normalized operations, as well as an increase to the wage rate for those personnel. 

 

Cost of food and beverage sales increased $836,000, or 34.3%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is consistent with the increase in food and beverage revenues. A contributing factor to the increased expenses were higher costs of food and beverage items due to inflationary pressures that were offset with the Company increasing our sale prices on these items.

 

Advertising and marketing costs increased $1,412,000, or 84.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is primarily attributable to the increased expenditures that were funded by payments received under the CMA for joint marketing, as well as an increase in advertising and marketing spend to support our resumption of more normalized operations in 2022.

 

Professional and contracted service expenses increased $564,000, or 13.4% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase is primarily attributable to expenses associated with increased information technology security as well as costs related to corporate partnership development and strategic planning for future operations. 

 

During 2022, the Company recorded a gain on sale of land of $12,000 as of result of the sale of approximately 4.1 acres of land for approximately $1,200,000 in gross proceeds.

 

During 2022, the Company performed a review of any fixed assets that were no longer in service at December 31, 2022. As a result of this review, management determined to dispose of assets resulting in a loss on disposal of $175,735. In addition to this write-off, the Company had three additional asset disposals for a gain of $18,300, resulting in a net loss on disposal of assets of $157,435 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

During 2021, the Company recorded a gain on sale of land of $264,000 as of result of the sale of approximately 9.8 acres of land for approximately $3,500,000 in gross proceeds.

 

24

 

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $2,722,000 and $3,999,000 for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in our tax expense for 2022 compared to 2021 is due to a decrease in income before taxes from operations. Our effective tax rate was 26.6% and 25.3% for 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

Net income for the years 2022 and 2021 was $7,513,000 and $11,798,000, respectively.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. The development and selection of critical accounting estimates, and the related disclosures, have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts - Property Tax Increment Financing "TIF" Receivable 

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a TIF receivable on its Consolidated Balance Sheet of approximately $13,294,000, which represents $11,301,000 of principal and $1,993,000 of interest. The TIF receivable requires significant management estimates and judgement pertaining to whether an allowance for doubtful accounts is necessary. The TIF receivable was generated in connection with the Contract for Private Redevelopment, in which the City of Shakopee has agreed that a portion of the future tax increment revenue generated from the developed property around the Racetrack will be paid to the Company to reimburse it for expenses in constructing public infrastructure improvements.

 

The Company typically performs an annual collectability analysis of the TIF receivable in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of the receivable to be potentially uncollectable exist. The Company utilizes the assistance of a third party to assist with the projected tax increments. The quantitative analysis includes assumptions based on the market values of the completed development projects within Canterbury Commons, which derives the future projected tax increment revenue. The Company uses the analysis to determine if the future tax increment revenue will exceed the Company's development costs on infrastructure improvements. As a result of our analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, management believes the TIF receivable will be fully collectible and no allowance related to this receivable is necessary. 

 

COOPERATIVE MARKETING AGREEMENT

 

The amounts received from the marketing payments under the CMA are recorded as a component of other revenue and the related expenses are recorded as a component of advertising and marketing expense and depreciation in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $1,920,000 in other revenue and incurred $1,697,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $222,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $1,516,000 in other revenue and incurred $1,391,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $125,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. The excess of amounts received over revenue is reflected as deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

CONTINGENCIES

 

Effective on December 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Contribution and Indemnity Agreement ("Indemnity Agreement") with affiliates of Doran Companies ("Doran") relating to debt financing by Doran Canterbury I, LLC as borrower, which is guaranteed by Doran affiliates. Under the Indemnity Agreement, the Company is obligated to reimburse and indemnify each loan guarantor for any amounts paid by such loan guarantor to the lender on debt financing by Doran Canterbury I, LLC, up to a maximum of $5,000,000. Effective on October 27, 2022, the Indemnity Agreement was amended to increase the maximum indemnification by an additional $700,000.

 

25

The Company is periodically involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes that the resolution of any pending claims and legal actions at December 31, 2022 and as of the date of this report will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

The Company has committed to payment of statutory distributions under a $500,000 bond issued to the MRC as required under Minnesota law. The Company was not required to make any payments related to this bond in 2022 or 2021, and there is no liability related to this bond on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Cash provided by operating activities for 2022 was $11,217,000 as a result of net income of $7,513,000 and was increased by 2022 noncash charges from depreciation of $2,981,000, stock-based compensation expense of $449,000, stock-based employee match contribution of $618,000, and loss from equity investment of $1,568,000. Cash from operating activities in 2022 was reduced by a gain on sale of land of $12,000. The Company also experienced a decrease in Casino accruals of $573,000 and an increase in income taxes receivable of $788,000 in 2022 as compared to 2021. This was partially offset by an increase in our TIF receivable of $792,000 and a decrease in employee retention credit receivable of $211,000. 

 

Cash provided by operating activities for 2022 was $13,498,000 as a result of net income of $11,798,000 and was increased by 2021 noncash charges from depreciation of $2,845,000, stock-based compensation expense of $548,000, stock-based employee match contribution of $557,000, and loss from equity investment of $2,703,000. Cash from operating activities in 2021 was reduced by a gain on sale of land of $264,000. The Company also experienced an increase in Casino accruals of $929,000 and a decrease in income taxes receivable of $2,768,000 in 2021 as compared to 2020. This was partially offset by a decrease in payable to horsepersons of $1,451,000, an increase in TIF receivable of $614,000, and an increase in employee retention credit receivable of $6,314,000. 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

Net cash used in investing activities for 2022 of $9,275,000 was used primarily for additions to land, buildings, and equipment, an increase in related party receivable, purchases of short-term investments, and an equity investment contribution. This was partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of land. 

 

Net cash used in investing activities for 2022 of $2,502,000 was used primarily for additions to land, buildings, and equipment, increase in related party receivable, and an equity investment contribution. This was partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of land. 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Net cash used in financing activities for 2022 was $1,435,000 primarily due to the reinstituted quarterly cash dividend as well as payments for taxes of equity awards, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of common stock. 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for 2022 was $130,000 primarily due to proceeds from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by payments for taxes of equity awards. Given that we reinstituted our quarterly cash dividend in January 2022, we expect net cash used by financing activities to increase in 2022.  

 

CASH AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At December 31, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $16,106,000 compared to $15,599,000 at December 31, 2021. This $507,000 increase consisted of $11,217,000 of net cash provided by operating activities, offset by $9,275,000 of net cash used in financing activities and $1,435,000 of net cash used in investing activities. We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, along with our short-term investments and cash flow from operations and availability of borrowing under our revolving line of credit agreement, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and working capital requirements beyond the next 12 months. 

 

Additionally, we expect to receive the remaining employee retention credit payments of $6,103,236 in 2023. Upon receipt, we expect to allocate these funds towards a combination of further investment in our team members, growth investments, capital expenditures, and deferred maintenance capital spending. We also have finalized our stable area improvement plan, and are awaiting grading and utility permits from the city to begin the barn relocation and redevelopment process. We expect to invest approximately $15 million in the stable area improvement plan as currently designed, staged over the course of the next two years. We expect to use nearly all of the proceeds from the land sale to Swervo in connection with the amphitheater to fund the stable area improvement plan, as well as our other sources of liquidity. Following the expiration of the CMA on December 31, 2022, we will not receive any purse enhancement, marketing payments or other amounts under the CMA, which for 2022 was $7,280,000 in purse enhancement payments and $1,620,000 in marketing payments.

 

26

 

The Company has a general credit and security agreement with a financial institution. This agreement was amended as of December 23, 2020 to extend the maturity date to February 28, 2021. The agreement was also amended as of February 28, 2021 to extend the maturity date to January 31, 2024 and increase its revolving credit line up to $10,000,000. The line of credit is collateralized by all receivables, inventory, equipment, and general intangibles of the Company, as well as a mortgage on certain real property. The Company had no borrowings under the credit line during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $0. The credit agreement contains covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with these requirements at all times throughout 2022.

 

Our three largest sources of revenue: pari-mutuel wagering, Casino operations, and food and beverage, are all based on cash transactions. Consequently, we have significant inflows of cash on a daily basis. We designate cash balances that will be required to satisfy certain short-term liabilities such as progressive jackpots, the player pool, and amounts due horsemen for purses and awards as “restricted” as a separate balance sheet item.

 

The Company offers unbanked table games that refer to a wagering system or game where wagers “lost” or “won” by the host are accumulated into a “player pool” to enhance the total amount paid back to players in any other card game. The Company is required to return accumulated player pool funds to the players through giveaways, promotional items, prizes or by other means. The player pool liability was $1,064,000 and $973,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, the table games jackpot pool was $309,000 and $675,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

The Company also maintains a poker promotional pool where a portion of the poker "rake" is collected and accumulated into a promotional pool to enhance the total amount paid back to poker players. The Company is required to return accumulated poker promotional pool funds to the players through poker jackpots, giveaways, promotional items, prizes or by other means. The poker promotional pool liability was $576,000 and $934,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

The Casino offers progressive jackpots for poker games. Amounts collected for these jackpot funds are accrued as liabilities until paid to winners. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, accrued jackpot funds totaled $132,000 and $189,000, respectively. The MRC regulates the operation of the player pool and progressive jackpot pools. These liabilities have the potential for significant fluctuation on a daily basis.

 

All games in the Casino are played using chips. The value of chips issued and outstanding, referred to as the “outstanding chip liability,” was $587,000 and $475,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This liability has the potential for significant fluctuation on a daily basis depending upon the demand for chip redemptions and sales.

 

Our second largest individual operating expense item is purse expense. Pursuant to an agreement with the MHBPA, we transferred into a trust account or paid directly to the MHBPA, approximately $7,846,000 and $8,903,000 in purse funds related to thoroughbred races for 2022 and 2021, respectively. Minnesota law provides that amounts transferred into this trust account are the property of the trust and not the Company. There were no unpaid purse fund obligations due to the MHBPA at December 31, 2022 or 2021.

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into a seven-year agreement with a new totalizator provider, which was extended an additional year in 2021. Pursuant to the agreement, the vendor provides totalizator equipment and related software that records and processes all wagers and calculates odds and payoffs. The amounts charged to operations for totalizator expenses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $253,000 and $262,000, respectively. In March 2022, the Company entered into a five-year agreement with a new totalizator provider. Under the new agreement, $166,400 was charged to operations in 2022. The future minimum purchase obligations under the new agreement are $166,400 per year for each of the next four years.

 

In August 2018, the Company entered into a Contract for Private Redevelopment with the City of Shakopee in connection with a Tax Increment Financing District (“TIF District”) which was amended in September 2021. The Company is obligated to construct certain public infrastructure improvements within the TIF District, and will be reimbursed by the City of Shakopee by future tax increment revenue generated from the developed property. See Note 12 for a more detailed description of the agreement.

 

27

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” and similar words or similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions). We also may make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the SEC, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions, outcomes, results or performance. Any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. There are many important factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from historical results or trends, results anticipated or planned by us, or the results expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. These important factors include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Our business is sensitive to reductions in discretionary consumer spending as a result of downturns in the economy and other factors outside of our control.

 

Because purse enhancement payments and marketing payments under our CMA with SMSC will not continue after December 31, 2022, we are likely to experience decreased revenue and profitability from live racing.

 

We may not be able to attract a sufficient number of horses and trainers to achieve above average field sizes.

 

We face significant competition, both directly from other racing and gaming operations and indirectly from other forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

Nationally, the popularity of horse racing has declined.

 

A lack of confidence in the integrity of our core businesses could affect our ability to retain our customers and engage with new customers.

 

Horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport and our racetrack is subject to personal injury litigation.

 

Our business depends on using totalizator services.

 

Inclement weather and other conditions may affect our ability to conduct live racing.

 

Our business and operations have been, and may in the future, be adversely affected by epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of disease, and other adverse public health developments, including COVID-19.

 

We are subject to changes in the laws that govern our business, including the possibility of an increase in gaming taxes, which would increase our costs, and changes in other laws may adversely affect our ability to compete.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation from gaming authorities that could adversely affect us.

 

We rely on the efforts of our partner Doran for the development and profitable operation of our Triple Crown Residences at Canterbury Park joint venture.

 

We rely on the efforts of our partner Greystone Construction for a new development project. 

 

We may not be successful in executing our real estate development strategy. 

 

We are obligated to make improvements in the TIF district and will be reimbursed only to the extent of future tax revenue.

 

We may be adversely affected by the effects of inflation.

 

An increase in the minimum wage mandated under Federal or Minnesota law could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

 

Our success may be affected if we are not able to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel.

 

The payment and amount of future dividends is subject to Board of Director discretion and to various risks and uncertainties.

 

Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risk including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security.

 

We process, store, and use personal information and other data, which subjects us to governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business.

 

We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable. 

 

28

 

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

(a)          Financial Statements

 

The following financial statements of the Company are set forth on pages 34 through 59 of the Form 10-K:

 

 

Page

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 344)

30

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021

31

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

32

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

33

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

34

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

36

 

 

 

29

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements).  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financials are the responsibility of Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matter

 

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined there are no critical audit matters.

 

/s/ Wipfli LLP

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2014.

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

   March 21, 2023

 

30

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

  

2022

  

2021

 

ASSETS

        
         

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $12,989,087  $11,869,866 

Restricted cash

  3,116,916   3,728,887 

Short-term investments

  5,000,000    

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $19,250 at December 31, 2022 and 2021

  618,365   388,304 

Employee retention credit receivable

  6,103,236   6,314,468 

Inventory

  262,073   248,389 

Prepaid expenses

  557,520   580,799 

Income taxes receivable and prepaid income taxes

  2,052,364   1,264,056 

Total current assets

  30,699,561   24,394,769 
         

LONG-TERM ASSETS

        

Deposits

  27,000   29,500 

Other prepaid expenses

  41,774   66,632 

TIF receivable

  13,294,337   12,502,743 

Related party receivable (Note 13)

  2,555,320   2,178,799 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     22,786 

Equity investment (Note 12)

  6,863,517   6,389,869 

Land held for development

  2,303,010   3,116,771 

Land, buildings, and equipment, net (Note 3)

  36,491,660   34,360,586 

Total long-term assets

  61,576,618   58,667,686 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $92,276,179  $83,062,455 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        
         

CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Accounts payable

 $3,368,683  $2,306,431 

Casino accruals

  2,684,444   3,257,277 

Accrued wages and payroll taxes

  1,814,879   1,769,578 

Cash dividend payable

  341,602    

Accrued property taxes

  795,646   774,324 

Deferred revenue

  413,442   733,292 

Payable to horsepersons

  993,529   923,423 

Current portion of finance lease obligations

  18,973   27,062 

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     22,786 

Total current liabilities

  10,431,198   9,814,173 
         

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

        

Deferred income taxes (Note 4)

  7,474,015   7,671,015 

Investee losses in excess of equity investment

  3,185,923   1,205,068 

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     18,973 

Total long-term liabilities

  10,659,938   8,895,056 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

  21,091,136   18,709,229 
         

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 5)

        

Common stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,888,975 and 4,812,085, respectively, shares issued and outstanding

  48,890   48,121 

Additional paid-in capital

  25,914,644   24,894,571 

Retained earnings

  45,221,509   39,410,534 

Total stockholders’ equity

  71,185,043   64,353,226 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 $92,276,179  $83,062,455 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

31

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

  

2022

  

2021

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

        

Casino

 $40,218,953  $38,090,835 

Pari-mutuel

  10,957,692   10,243,835 

Food and beverage

  8,227,105   6,185,832 

Other

  7,420,131   5,879,196 

Total Net Revenues

  66,823,881   60,399,698 
         

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Purse expense

  8,530,090   8,037,994 

Minnesota Breeders’ Fund

  1,118,968   1,061,624 

Other pari-mutuel expenses

  962,579   999,654 

Salaries and benefits

  24,355,049   15,105,558 

Cost of food and beverage and other sales

  3,272,472   2,436,618 

Depreciation

  2,981,168   2,844,647 

Utilities

  1,747,744   1,615,901 

Advertising and marketing

  3,098,437   1,677,424 

Professional and contracted services

  4,772,565   4,208,622 

Loss on disposal of assets

  157,435    

Other operating expenses

  4,946,914   4,893,750 

Total Operating Expenses

  55,943,422   42,881,792 

Gain on sale of land (Note 12)

  12,151   263,581 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

  10,892,610   17,781,487 

OTHER INCOME (LOSS)

        

Loss from equity investment

  (1,567,822)  (2,703,299)

Interest income, net

  909,958   719,365 

Net Other Loss

  (657,864)  (1,983,934)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

  10,234,746   15,797,553 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Note 4)

  (2,721,800)  (3,999,400)

NET INCOME

 $7,512,946  $11,798,153 
         

Basic earnings per share

 $1.55  $2.47 

Diluted earnings per share

 $1.54  $2.44 

Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding

  4,854,339   4,776,007 

Weighted Average Diluted Shares

  4,892,600   4,827,761 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

32

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

   

Number of

   

Common

   

Additional

   

Retained

         
   

Shares

   

Stock

   

Paid-in Capital

   

Earnings

   

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

    4,748,012     $ 47,480     $ 23,631,618     $ 27,614,087     $ 51,293,185  
                                         

Exercise of stock options

    3,654       37       48,562             48,599  

Stock-based compensation

                548,282             548,282  

Dividend distribution

                      (1,706 )     (1,706 )

401(K) stock match

    33,998       340       557,056             557,396  

Issuance of deferred stock awards

    14,597       146       (26,094 )           (25,948 )

Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    11,824       118       135,147             135,265  

Net income

                      11,798,153       11,798,153  
                                         

Balance at December 31, 2021

    4,812,085       48,121       24,894,571       39,410,534       64,353,226  
                                         

Stock-based compensation

                449,891             449,891  

Dividend distribution

                      (1,701,971 )     (1,701,971 )

401(K) stock match

    25,939       260       618,475             618,735  

Issuance of deferred stock awards

    41,816       418       (213,026 )           (212,608 )

Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    9,135       91       164,733             164,824  

Net income

                      7,512,946       7,512,946  
                                         

Balance at December 31, 2022

    4,888,975     $ 48,890     $ 25,914,644     $ 45,221,509     $ 71,185,043  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

33

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Operating Activities:

               

Net income

  $ 7,512,946     $ 11,798,153  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation

    2,981,168       2,844,647  

Stock-based compensation expense

    449,891       548,282  

Stock-based employee match contribution

    618,735       557,396  

Deferred income taxes

    (197,000 )     323,315  

Loss on disposal of assets

    157,435        

Loss from equity investment

    1,567,822       2,703,299  

Gain on sale of land

    (12,151 )     (263,581 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (230,061 )     (157,049 )

Employee retention credit receivable

    211,232       (6,314,468 )

Increase in TIF receivable

    (791,594 )     (614,173 )

Inventory, prepaid expenses and deposits

    36,953       (158,387 )

Income taxes receivable/payable and prepaid income taxes

    (788,308 )     2,767,565  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    22,786       22,271  

Operating lease liabilities

    (22,786 )     (22,271 )

Accounts payable

    456,328       (901,150 )

Deferred revenue

    (319,850 )     297,426  

Casino accruals

    (572,833 )     929,283  

Accrued wages and payroll taxes

    45,301       619,476  

Accrued property taxes

    21,322       (30,493 )

Payable to horsepersons

    70,106       (1,451,273 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    11,217,442       13,498,268  
                 

Investing Activities:

               

Additions to land, buildings, and equipment

    (4,997,481 )     (3,780,759 )

Proceeds from sale of land

    1,159,640       2,288,952  

Purchase of short-term investments

    (5,000,000 )      

Cash dividends received from investments

    337,192        

Increase in related party receivable

    (376,521 )     (636,889 )

Equity investment contribution

    (397,807 )     (372,992 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (9,274,977 )     (2,501,688 )
                 

Financing Activities:

               

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    164,824       183,864  

Cash dividend paid to shareholders

    (1,360,369 )     (1,706 )

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

    (212,608 )     (25,948 )

Principal payments on finance lease

    (27,062 )     (25,749 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (1,435,215 )     130,461  
                 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

    507,250       11,127,041  
                 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year

    15,598,753       4,471,712  
                 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year

  $ 16,106,003     $ 15,598,753  

 

34

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2022 and 2021 (continued)

 

Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

               

Additions to land, buildings, and equipment funded through accounts payable

  $ 606,000     $ 254,000  

Dividend declared but not yet paid

    342,000        

Transfer of future TIF reimbursed costs from land, buildings, and equipment

          471,000  

Change in investee losses in excess of equity investments

    1,981,000       1,205,000  
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

               

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

  $ 3,707,000     $ 897,519  

Interest paid

    2,000       3,000  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

35

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2022 and 2021


 

 

1.    OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Business – The Company’s Racetrack operations are conducted at facilities located in Shakopee, Minnesota, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. In May 1994, the Company commenced year-round horse racing simulcast operations and hosted the first annual live race meet during the summer of 1995. The Company’s live racing operations are a seasonal business as it hosts live race meets each year from May until September. The Company earns additional pari-mutuel revenue by televising its live racing to out-of-state racetracks around the country. Canterbury Park’s Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is limited by Minnesota State law to conducting card play on a maximum of 80 tables. The Casino currently offers a variety of poker and table games. The Company’s three largest sources of revenues include: Casino operations, pari-mutuel operations and food and beverage sales. The Company also derives revenues from related services and activities, such as admissions, advertising signage, publication sales, and from other entertainment events and activities held at the Racetrack. Additionally, the Company is redeveloping approximately 140 acres of underutilized land surrounding the Racetrack in a project known as Canterbury Commons. The Company is pursuing several mixed-use development opportunities for this land, directly and through joint ventures.

 

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries Canterbury Park Entertainment, LLC, Canterbury Park Concessions, Inc., and Canterbury Development, LLC (collectively, the "Company"), after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

 

Estimates – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Reclassifications - Certain amounts in prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations. 

 

2.    ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition – The Company’s primary revenues with customers consist of Casino operations, pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast and live horse races, and food and beverage transactions. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

 

 

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

 

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

 

Determination of the transaction price

 

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contract

 

Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation

 

The transaction price for a Casino contract is a set percentage of wagers and is recognized at the time that the wagering process is complete. The transaction price for pari-mutuel wagering is the commission received on a wager, exclusive of any track fees and is recognized upon occurrence of the live race that is presented for wagering and after that live race is made official by the respective state’s racing regulatory body. The transaction price for food and beverage contracts is the net amount collected from the customer for these goods. Food and beverage services have been determined to be separate, stand-alone performance obligations and the transaction price is recorded as revenue as the good is transferred to the customer when delivery is made.

 

36

 

Contracts for Casino operations and pari-mutuel wagering involve two performance obligations for those customers earning points under the Company’s loyalty program and a single performance obligation for customers who do not participate in the program. The Company applies a practical expedient by accounting for its gaming contracts on a portfolio basis as these wagers have similar characteristics and the Company reasonably expects the effects on the financial statements of applying the revenue recognition guidance to the portfolio will not differ materially from that which would result if applying the guidance to an individual wagering contract. For purposes of allocating the transaction price in a wagering contract between the wagering performance obligation and the obligation associated with the loyalty points earned, the Company allocates an amount to the loyalty point contract liability based on the stand-alone redemption value of the points earned, which is determined by the value of a point that can be redeemed for a cash voucher, food and beverage voucher, racing admission, valet parking, or racing forms. Based on past experience, the majority of customers redeem their points for cash vouchers.

 

We have two general types of liabilities related to Casino contracts with customers: (1) our MVP Loyalty Program and (2) outstanding chip liability. These are included in the line item Casino accruals on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We defer the full retail value of these complimentary reward items until the future revenue transaction occurs.

 

The Company offers certain promotional allowances at no charge to patrons who participate in its player rewards program. The retail value of these promotional items is included as a deduction from pari-mutuel revenues.

 

We evaluate our on-track revenue (live racing), export revenue (simulcast), and import revenue (guest fees) contracts to determine whether we are acting as the principal or as the agent when providing services, which we consider in determining if revenue should be reported gross or net. An entity is a principal if it controls the specified service before that service is transferred to a customer.

 

The revenue we recognize for on-track revenue and import revenue is the commission we are entitled to retain for providing a wagering service to our customers. For these arrangements, we are the principal as we control the wagering service; therefore, any charges, including simulcast fees, we incur for delivering the wagering service are presented as operating expenses.

 

For export revenue, our customer is the third party wagering site such as a racetrack, OTB, or advance deposit wagering provider. Therefore, the revenue we recognize for export revenue is the simulcast host fee we earn for exporting our racing signal to the third party wagering site.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include all investments with original maturities of three months or less or which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are not legally restricted. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Restricted Cash – Restricted cash represents refundable deposits and amounts due to horsemen for purses, stakes and awards, and amounts accumulated in card game progressive jackpot pools, the player pool, and poker promotional fund to be used to repay card players in the form of promotions, giveaways, prizes, or by other means.

 

Short-Term Investments – Short-term investments include cash investments into short-to intermediate-term fixed income securities. Such investments are not included as "Cash and cash equivalents" as the original maturities are greater than three months and are intended to be held until maturity.

 

Employee Retention Credit ("ERC") – The Company qualified for federal government assistance through ERC provisions of the CARES Act passed in 2020, for the 2020 second, third, and fourth quarters, as well as the 2021 first and second quarters. The purpose of the ERC is to encourage employers to keep employees on the payroll, even if they are not working during the covered period because of the coronavirus outbreak. We recognize government grants for which there is a reasonable assurance of compliance with grant conditions and receipt of credits. The Company's expected one-time refunds at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $6,103,236 and $6,314,468, respectively, and are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an employee retention credit receivable, as well as on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a credit to salaries and benefits expense in 2021.

 

37

 

Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable are initially recorded for amounts due from other tracks for simulcast revenue, net of amounts due to other tracks, and for amounts due from customers related to catering and events. Credit is granted in the normal course of business without collateral. Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts, which represent estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make the required payments. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual terms are considered past due. When determining the allowances for doubtful accounts, the Company takes several factors into consideration including the overall composition of the accounts receivable aging, its prior history of accounts receivable write-offs, the type of customers and its day-to-day knowledge of specific customers. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded as bad debt expense and are included in other operating expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Property Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Receivable – In connection with the Contract for Private Redevelopment (“Redevelopment Agreement”) and First Amendment to the Contract for Private Redevelopment (the "First Amendment") between the City of Shakopee Economic Development Authority and Canterbury Development LLC signed in August 2018 and amended in September 2021, the City of Shakopee has agreed that a portion of the tax increment revenue generated from the developed property will be paid to the Company to reimburse it for expenses in constructing public infrastructure improvements. The interest rate on the TIF Receivable is 6%.

 

Inventory – Inventory consists primarily of food and beverages, small wares and supplies and retail goods and is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value.

 

Unredeemed Pari-mutuel Tickets – The Company records a liability for winning tickets and vouchers upon the completion of a race and when a voucher is printed, respectively. As uncashed winning tickets and vouchers are redeemed, this liability is reduced for the respective cash payment. The Company recognizes revenue associated with the uncashed winning tickets and vouchers when the likelihood of redemption, based on historical experience, is remote. While the Company continues to honor all winning tickets and vouchers presented for payment, management may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote due to the length of time that has elapsed since the ticket was issued. In these circumstances, if management also determines there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, uncashed winning tickets and vouchers may then be recognized as revenue in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Deferred Revenue – Deferred revenue includes advance sales related to racing, events and corporate partnerships. Revenue from these advance billings is recognized when the related event occurs or services have been performed. Deferred revenue also includes advanced Cooperative Marketing Agreement (“CMA”) promotional funds, and revenue is recognized when expenses are incurred.

 

Due to Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc. (“MHBPA”) – The Minnesota Pari-mutuel Horse Racing Act specifies that the Company is required to segregate a portion of funds (recorded as purse expense in the statements of operations), received from Casino operations and wagering on simulcast and live horse races, for future payment as purses for live horse races or other uses of the horsepersons’ associations. Pursuant to an agreement with the MHBPA, the Company transferred into a trust account or paid directly to the MHBPA, approximately $7,846,000 and $8,903,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to thoroughbred races. Minnesota Statutes specify that amounts transferred into the trust account are the property of the trust and not of the Company.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability would be performed. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets. During 2022 and 2021, the Company determined that no evaluations of recoverability were necessary.

 

Advertising and Marketing – Advertising and marketing costs are charged to expense as incurred. The related amounts are presented separately in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Land, Buildings, and Equipment – Land, buildings, equipment, and building improvements are capitalized at a level of $2,000 or greater and are recorded at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations when incurred. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 – 7 years, while buildings are depreciated over 15 – 39 years. Building improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the useful life of the assets.

 

38

 

Pre-development costs are incurred prior to vertical construction and for certain land held for development during the due diligence phase. This includes legal, engineering, architecture, and other professional fees incurred in pursuit of new development opportunities for which we believe future development is probable. Future development is dependent upon various factors, including zoning and regulatory approval, rental market conditions, construction costs and availability of capital. Pre-development costs incurred for which future development is not yet considered probable are expensed as incurred.

 

The Company capitalizes property taxes incurred on its land held for development during periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. Costs incurred after the property is substantially complete and ready for its intended use are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Land Held for Development – Land held for development consists of land owned for potential real estate development. 

 

Casino Accruals – Minnesota law allows the Company to collect amounts from patrons to fund progressive jackpot pools in the Casino. These amounts, along with amounts earned by the player pool, promotional pools, and the outstanding chip liability, are accrued as short-term liabilities at each balance sheet date.

 

Income Taxes – Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse.

 

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

 

Interest and penalties associated with uncertain income tax positions are presented in income tax expense. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not recognize any expense related to interest and penalties.

 

Net Income Per Share – Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per common share takes into effect the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding. The Company’s only potential common shares outstanding are stock options and unvested deferred stock awards. 

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments – Due to the current classification of all financial instruments and given the short-term nature of the related account balances, carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value.

 

Stock-Based Employee Compensation – The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards on a fair value basis. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is recognized as expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each option is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For more information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, see Note 5.

 

3.    LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT

 

Land, buildings and equipment, at cost, consist of the following at December 31, 2022 and 2021:

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Land

  $ 3,063,325     $ 2,813,239  

Buildings and building improvements

    42,590,623       42,931,835  

Furniture and equipment

    21,409,954       23,073,308  

Construction in progress

    4,218,089       1,900,305  
      71,281,991       70,718,687  

Accumulated depreciation

    (34,790,331 )     (36,358,101 )
    $ 36,491,660     $ 34,360,586  

 

The Company has included land held for development as a separate line on the consolidated balance sheet. This amount represents land owned for potential real estate development and totaled approximately $2,303,000 and $3,117,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

39

 

4.    INCOME TAXES

 

A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Federal tax (benefit) expense at statutory rates

  $ 2,149,300     $ 3,317,500  

Nondeductible lobbying expense

    10,200       11,300  

State expense, net of federal impact

    753,500       747,700  

Stock option expense

    (78,600 )     15,400  

Long term incentive and restricted stock unit expense

    (9,600 )     (600 )

Other

    (103,000 )     (91,900 )
    $ 2,721,800     $ 3,999,400  

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following:

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Current

               

Federal

  $ 2,010,700     $ 3,228,800  

State

    908,100       447,300  
      2,918,800       3,676,100  

Deferred, Federal

    (242,700 )     (175,800 )

Deferred, State

    45,700       499,100  
    $ 2,721,800     $ 3,999,400  

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Deferred tax assets:

               

Vacation accrual

  $ 67,600     $ 60,500  

Player rewards program accrual

    120,100       112,200  

Stock options

    118,700       149,000  

Long-Term Incentive Plan

          38,100  

Lease obligations

          13,200  

Other

    5,785       5,685  

Net deferred tax assets

    312,185       378,685  

Deferred tax liabilities:

               

Land, building and equipment - cost and depreciation

    (4,202,800 )     (4,341,400 )

Investment in joint ventures

    (2,866,400 )     (3,202,500 )

Prepaid expenses

    (144,100 )     (125,500 )

TIF receivable accrued interest

    (572,900 )     (380,300 )

Net deferred tax liabilities

    (7,786,200 )     (8,049,700 )

Net long-term deferred tax liabilities

  $ (7,474,015 )   $ (7,671,015 )

 

The Company is subject to U.S. and Minnesota taxation. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2019.

 

40

 

5.    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

 

The Company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) that is open to all employees working more than 15 hours per week. Shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased by employees at six-month intervals at 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at the beginning or end of each stock purchase period or phase. Employees purchased 9,135 and 11,824 shares in 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, a total of 354,134 shares have been issued from the 450,000 shares authorized.

 

KSOP:

 

The Company offers a KSOP Plan (the “KSOP”) that includes the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) and the 401(k) Plan. The KSOP allows the Company to use Company stock to match contributions from its employees should it so choose. The KSOP is available to eligible employees who had completed six months of service. Beginning January 1, 2016, the matching of employee contributions were issued in Company stock. Employer contributions charged to operations for stock matching of employee contributions for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 totaled approximately $619,000 and $557,000, respectively.

 

Stock Repurchase Plan:

 

In 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a plan that authorized the repurchase of up to 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in open market transactions or block purchases of privately negotiated transactions. The Company repurchased 216,543 shares under the 2008 Stock Repurchase Plan and in 2012, authorized the repurchase of an additional 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. No shares were repurchased in 2022 or 2021. In March 2022, the Board of Directors determined to terminate the stock repurchase plan.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is recorded at fair value as of the date of grant, is included in the salaries and benefits expense line item on the consolidated statements of operations and amounted to approximately $450,000 and $548,000 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Stock Options:

 

The Company’s Stock Plan, as amended, (the “Plan”) provides for the granting of awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, and deferred stock to key employees and non-employees, including directors of and consultants to the Company and any subsidiary, to purchase up to a maximum of 1,650,000 shares of common stock. The Company currently has 193,460 shares available for grant under the Plan. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors which determines the persons who are to receive awards under the Plan, the type of award to be granted, the number of shares subject to each award and, if an option, the exercise price of each option.

 

The Plan provides that payment of the exercise price may be made in the form of unrestricted shares of common stock already owned by the optionee. The Company calculates the fair market value of unrestricted shares as the average of the high and low sales prices on the date of the option exercise. The Company’s common stock is purchased upon the exercise of stock options, and restricted stock awards are settled in shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

41

 

Stock option activity related to the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is summarized below:

 

  

2022

  

2021

 
                 
      

Weighted

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

      

Average

 
  

Number of

  

Exercise

  

Number of

  

Exercise

 
  

Options

  

Price

  

Shares

  

Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

    $   9,000  $13.30 

Granted

            

Exercised

        (3,654)  13.30 

Expired/Forfeited

        (5,346)  13.30 
                 

Outstanding at end of year

    $     $ 
                 

Options exercisable at end of year

    $     $ 

 

The grant-date fair value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0. As of December 31, 2022, there are no options outstanding. 

 

There were no options granted in 2022 or 2021. The total fair value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $23,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2022 and 2021 was $0.

 

Long Term Incentive Plan

 

In 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new plan for long-term incentive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (NEOs) and other Senior Executives called the Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTI Plan”). The LTI Plan authorizes the grant of Long Term Incentive Awards that provide an opportunity to NEOs and other Senior Executives to receive a payment in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock to the extent of achievement at the end of a period greater than one year (the “Performance Period”) as compared to Performance Goals established at the beginning of the Performance Period. The Company historically has used three years as the Performance Period. The LTI Plan is a sub-plan of the Company’s Stock Plan.

 

In 2019, the Board approved long term incentive awards to Company officers and key employees for the 2019-2021 performance period of the LTI Plan. Each officer and key employee was granted an Incentive Award which provided an opportunity to receive a payout of shares of the Company’s common stock to the extent of achievement compared to Performance Goals at the end of the three year Performance Period. The Company paid out 8,915 shares of common stock in the 2022 first quarter related to the LTI Plan awards for the three Performance Period of 2019-2021. Due to the general uncertainty that persisted at the beginning of 2021 when the 2021- 2023 LTI Plan and 2022-2024 LTI Plan would have been adopted, the Compensation Committee did not adopt an LTI Plan for three-year performance period of 2021-2023 or the three-year performance period for 2022-2024. Instead granted other awards designed to executive officers and other officers as described below under “Employee Deferred Stock Awards.”

 

The Company recorded a compensation expense of $0 and $108,000 related to the LTI Plan for 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Board of Directors Stock Option, Deferred Stock Awards, and Restricted Stock Grants

 

The Company’s Stock Plan was amended to authorize annual grants of restricted stock, deferred stock, stock options, or any combination of the three, to non-employee members of the Board of Directors at the time of the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting as determined by the Board prior to each such meeting. Options granted under the Plan generally expire 10 years after the grant date. Restricted stock and deferred stock grants generally vest 100% one year after the date of the annual meeting at which they were granted, are subject to restrictions on resale for an additional year, and are subject to forfeiture if a board member terminates his or her board service prior to the shares vesting.

 

42

 

Below is a summary of changes in Board of Directors unvested deferred stock award grants as of December 31, 2022:

 

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

 
  

Deferred

  

Fair Value

 
  

Stock

  

Per Share

 

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2021

  10,710  $14.00 

Granted

  7,230   22.12 

Vested

  (10,710)  14.00 

Forfeited

      

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2022

  7,230  $22.12 

 

Employee Deferred Stock Awards 

 

In 2022, the Company granted employees deferred stock awards totaling 18,600 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately four years and a fair value of $21.62 per share. During 2021, the Company granted employees deferred stock awards totaling 27,900 shares of common stock with a fair value of $13.33 per share. The vesting schedule of the awards is as follows: (i) 33% vesting and being issued in  February 2022, (ii) 33% vesting and being issued in  February 2023, and (iii) 33% vesting and being issued in  February 2024. The compensation cost associated with these grants of deferred stock awards are recorded in "Salaries and benefits" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

 

A summary of the changes in employee unvested deferred stock award grants as of December 31, 2022, is as follows:

 

      

Weighted

 
      

Average

 
  

Deferred

  

Fair Value

 
  

Stock

  

Per Share

 

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2021

  43,400  $12.48 

Granted

  18,600   21.62 

Vested

  (20,800)  12.44 

Forfeited

      

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2022

  41,200  $16.62 

 

At December 31, 2022, there was approximately $482,000 of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested employee and board of director deferred stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 1.7 years. 

 

6.    NET INCOME PER SHARE COMPUTATIONS

 

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the net income per common share computations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Net income (numerator) amounts used for basic and diluted per share computations:

 $7,512,946  $11,798,153 
         

Weighted average shares (denominator) of common stock outstanding:

        

Basic

  4,854,339   4,776,007 

Plus dilutive effect of stock options

  38,261   51,754 

Diluted

  4,892,600   4,827,761 
         

Net income per common share:

        

Basic

 $1.55  $2.47 

Diluted

  1.54   2.44 

 

There were no out-of-the money stock options at December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. 

 

43

 

7.    GENERAL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

The Company has a general credit and security agreement with a financial institution. This agreement was amended as of December 23, 2020 to extend the maturity date to February 28, 2021. The agreement was also amended as of February 28, 2021 to extend the maturity date to January 31, 2024 and increase its revolving credit line up to $10,000,000. The line of credit is collateralized by all receivables, inventory, equipment, and general intangibles of the Company, as well as a mortgage on certain real property. The Company had no borrowings under the credit line during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $0. The credit agreement contains covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. 

 

8.    LEASES AND COMMITMENTS

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The Company leases certain office equipment under finance leases. We also lease equipment related to our horse racing operations under operating leases. For lease accounting purposes, we do not separate lease and nonlease components, nor do we record operating or finance lease assets and liabilities for short term leases.

 

As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. We recognize expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any variable lease payments, material residual value guarantees or any restrictive covenants.

 

 

Lease costs related to operating leases were $22,339 for each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The total lease expenses for leases with a term of twelve months or less for which the Company elected not to recognize a lease asset or liability was $507,705 and $490,851 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

Lease costs included in depreciation and amortization related to our finance leases were $23,795 for each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Interest expense related to our finance leases was immaterial.

 

The following table shows the classification of the right of use assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

Balance Sheet Location

 

2022

  

2021

 

Assets

         

Finance

Land, buildings and equipment, net (1)

 $18,973  $46,035 

Operating

Operating lease right-of-use assets

  -   22,786 

Total Leased Assets

 $18,973  $68,821 

 


1 – Finance lease assets are net of accumulated amortization of $106,586 and $79,524 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

44

 

The following table shows the lease terms and discount rates related to our leases:

 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):

        

Finance

  0.7   1.7 

Operating

  0.0   0.4 

Weighted average discount rate (%):

        

Finance

  5.0%  5.0%

Operating

  0.0%  5.5%

 

The maturity of operating leases and finance leases for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Operating leases

  

Finance leases

 

2023

 $-  $19,332 

2024

      

Total minimum lease obligations

     19,332 

Less: amounts representing interest

     (359)

Present value of minimum lease payments

     18,973 

Less: current portion

     (18,973)

Lease obligations, net of current portion

 $  $(0)

 

Purchase Obligations

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into a seven-year agreement with a totalizator provider. Pursuant to the agreement, the vendor provides totalizator equipment and related software which records and processes all wagers and calculates odds and payoffs. The amounts charged to operations for totalizator expenses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $253,000 and $262,000, respectively. In March 2022, the Company entered into a five-year agreement with a new totalizator provider. Under the new agreement, $166,400 was charged to operations in 2022. The future minimum purchase obligations under the new agreement are $166,400 per year for each of the next four years. 

 

9.    CONTINGENCIES

 

Effective on June 15, 2012, the Company entered into a Cooperative Marketing Agreement (the “CMA”) with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (“SMSC”). The CMA was amended in January 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and in June 2020 (as described below in Note 12). The CMA contained certain covenants that, if breached, would trigger an obligation to repay a specified amount related to such covenant. The CMA expired at December 31, 2022 and no breach of covenants had occurred that would result in the Company being required to pay the specified amount related to such covenant.

 

Effective on December 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Contribution and Indemnity Agreement ("Indemnity Agreement") with affiliates of Doran Companies ("Doran") relating to debt financing by Doran Canterbury I, LLC as borrower, which is guaranteed by Doran affiliates. Under the Indemnity Agreement, the Company is obligated to reimburse and indemnify each loan guarantor for any amounts paid by such loan guarantor to the lender on debt financing by Doran Canterbury I, LLC, up to a maximum of $5,000,000. Effective on October 27, 2022, the Indemnity Agreement was amended to increase the maximum indemnification by an additional $700,000. 

 

The Company is periodically involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes that the resolution of any pending claims and legal actions at December 31, 2022 and as of the date of this report will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial positions or results of operations.

 

The Company has committed to payment of statutory distributions under a $500,000 bond issued to the Minnesota Racing Commission as required by Minnesota statute. The Company was not required to make any payments related to this bond in 2022 or 2021, and there is no liability related to this bond on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022.

 

45

 

10.  OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company has four reportable operating segments: horse racing,  Casino, food and beverage, and development. The horse racing segment primarily represents simulcast and live horse racing operations. The Casino segment represents operations of Canterbury Park’s Casino, the food and beverage segment represents food and beverage operations provided during simulcast and live racing, in the Casino, and during special events, and the development segment represents our real estate development operations. The Company’s reportable operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because the segments differ in the nature of the products and services provided as well as process to produce those products and services. The Minnesota Racing Commission regulates the horse racing and Casino segments.

 

Depreciation, interest expense, and income taxes are allocated to the segments but no allocation is made to food and beverage for shared facilities. However, the food and beverage segment pays approximately 25% of gross revenues earned on live racing and special event days to the horse racing segment for use of the facilities. Starting in 2020, the food and beverage segment has not paid a commission to the horse racing segment subsequent to the Company's first temporary shutdown of operations starting March 16, 2020. 

 

The following tables represent a disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers along with the Company’s operating segments (in 000’s):

 

   

Year Ended December 31, 2022

 
   

Horse Racing

   

Casino

   

Food and Beverage

   

Development

   

Total

 

Net revenues from external customers

  $ 17,560     $ 40,219     $ 9,045     $     $ 66,824  

Intersegment revenues

    216             1,031             1,247  

Net interest income

    96                   814       910  

Depreciation

    2,482       301       198             2,981  

Segment income (loss) before income taxes

    687       10,446       2,441       (969 )     12,605  

Segment tax expense (benefit)

    (448 )     2,778       649       (257 )     2,722  

 

   

At December 31, 2022

 

Segment Assets

  $ 71,338     $ 2,425     $ 30,341     $ 26,475     $ 130,579  

 

   

Year Ended December 31, 2021

 
   

Horse Racing

   

Casino

   

Food and Beverage

   

Development

   

Total

 

Net revenues from external customers

  $ 15,753     $ 38,092     $ 6,530     $ 25     $ 60,400  

Intersegment revenues

    26             811             837  

Net interest (expense) income

                719             719  

Depreciation

    2,567       75       203             2,845  

Segment (loss) income before income taxes

    1,878       13,774       1,580       (1,967 )     15,265  

Segment tax (benefit) expense

    610       3,487       400       (498 )     3,999  

 

   

At December 31, 2021

 

Segment Assets

  $ 50,647     $ 2,726     $ 27,091     $ 26,183     $ 106,647  

 

The following are reconciliations of reportable segment revenues, income before income taxes, and assets, to the Company’s consolidated totals for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in 000’s):

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Revenues

               

Total net revenue for reportable segments

  $ 68,071     $ 61,237  

Elimination of intersegment revenues

    (1,247 )     (837 )

Total consolidated net revenues

  $ 66,824     $ 60,400  

 

46

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

               

Total segment income (loss) before income taxes

  $ 12,605     $ 15,265  

Elimination of intersegment income (loss) before income taxes

    (2,370 )     533  

Total consolidated income (loss) before income taxes

  $ 10,235     $ 15,798  

 

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Assets

               

Total assets for reportable segments

  $ 130,579     $ 106,647  

Elimination of intercompany balances

    (38,303 )     (23,585 )

Total consolidated assets

  $ 92,276     $ 83,062  

 

 

11.  COOPERATIVE MARKETING AGREEMENT

 

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA was to increase purses paid during live horse racing at Canterbury Park’s Racetrack in order to strengthen Minnesota’s thoroughbred and quarter horse industry. Under the CMA, as amended, this was achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA. Such payments had no direct impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or operations. 

 

Because the Company conducted a more limited 2020 live race meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company and SMSC entered into the Fifth Amendment Agreement (“Fifth Amendment”) to the CMA effective  June 8, 2020. The annual purse enhancement that the SMSC was obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remained at $7,380,000 per year.

 

Under the CMA, as amended, SMSC also agreed to make “Marketing Payments” to the Company relating to joint marketing efforts for the mutual benefit of the Company and SMSC, including signage, joint promotions, player benefits, and events.

 

As noted above and affirmed in the Fifth Amendment, SMSC was obligated to make an annual purse enhancement of $7,380,000 and annual marketing payment of $1,620,000 for 2022. 

 

The amounts received from the marketing payments under the CMA are recorded as a component of other revenue and the related expenses are recorded as a component of advertising and marketing expense and depreciation in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $1,920,000 in other revenue and incurred $1,697,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $222,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $1,516,000 in other revenue and incurred $1,391,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $125,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. The excess of amounts received over revenue is reflected as deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Under the CMA, the Company agreed for the term of the CMA that it would not promote or lobby the Minnesota legislature for expanded gambling authority and will support the SMSC’s lobbying efforts against expanding gambling authority.

 

The CMA expired by its terms on December 31, 2022.

 

47

 

12.  REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

 

Equity Investments

 

Doran Canterbury I, LLC

 

On April 2, 2018, the Company’s subsidiary Canterbury Development LLC entered into an operating agreement with an affiliate of Doran Companies (“Doran”), a national commercial and residential real estate developer, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named Doran Canterbury I, LLC (“Doran Canterbury I”). Doran Canterbury I was formed as part of a joint venture between Doran and Canterbury Development LLC to construct an upscale apartment complex on land adjacent to the Company’s Racetrack. Doran Canterbury has developed Phase I of the project, which includes approximately 300 units, a heated parking ramp, and a clubhouse.

 

On September 27, 2018, Canterbury Development LLC contributed approximately 13 acres of land as its equity contribution in the Doran Canterbury I joint venture and became a 27.4% equity member. On December 20, 2018, financing for Doran Canterbury I was secured. As the Company is able to assert significant influence, but not control, over Doran Canterbury I’s operational and financial policies, the Company accounts for the joint venture as an equity method investment. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $1,981,000 and $2,693,000, respectively, in loss on equity method investments. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, since we are committed to provide future capital contributions to Doran Canterbury I, we also present as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for the net balance recorded for our share of Doran Canterbury I's losses in excess of the amount funded into Doran Canterbury I, which was $3,186,000 and $1,205,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

We are a party to a contribution and indemnity agreement with affiliates of Doran relating to debt financing by Doran Canterbury I as borrower, which is guaranteed by Doran affiliates. Under the contribution and indemnity agreement, as amended, the Company is obligated to reimburse and indemnify each loan guarantor for any amounts paid by such loan guarantor to the lender on debt financing by Doran Canterbury I, up to a maximum of $5,700,000 as of December 31, 2022. See Note 9. “Contingencies.”

 

Doran Canterbury II, LLC

 

In connection with the execution of the amended operating agreement for Doran Canterbury I, on August 18, 2018, Canterbury Development LLC entered into an operating agreement with Doran Shakopee, LLC as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company entitled Doran Canterbury II, LLC (“Doran Canterbury II”). Under the Doran Canterbury II operating agreement, Doran Canterbury II will pursue development of Phase II of the project. Phase II will include an additional 305 apartment units. Canterbury Development’s equity contribution to Doran Canterbury II for Phase II was approximately 10 acres of land, which were contributed to Doran Canterbury II on July 30, 2020. In connection with its contribution, Canterbury Development became a 27.4% equity member in Doran Canterbury II with Doran owning the remaining 72.6%. As the Company is able to assert significant influence, but not control, over Doran Canterbury II’s operational and financial policies, the Company accounts for the joint venture as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2022, the proportionate share of Doran Canterbury II's earnings was immaterial. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company contributed approximately $398,000 and $373,000, respectively, as an equity investment contribution in Doran Canterbury II. Groundwork on the Doran Canterbury II site began in October 2020, paving the way for the ground-up construction of the second phase of apartments, which began construction in March 2022

 

Canterbury DBSV Development, LLC

 

On June 16, 2020, Canterbury Development, entered into an operating agreement with an affiliate of Greystone Construction, as the two members of a Minnesota limited liability company named Canterbury DBSV Development, LLC ("Canterbury DBSV"). Canterbury DBSV was formed as part of a joint venture between Greystone and Canterbury Development LLC for a multi-use development on the 13-acre land parcel located on the southwest portion of the Company’s racetrack. Canterbury Development’s equity contribution to Canterbury DBSV was approximately 13 acres of land, which were contributed to Canterbury DBSV on July 1, 2020. In connection with its contribution, Canterbury Development became a 61.87% equity member in Canterbury DBSV. As the Company is able to assert significant influence, but not control, over Canterbury DBSV’s operational and financial policies, the Company accounts for the joint venture as an equity method investment. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $415,000 of income on equity investment related to this joint venture . For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $63,000 in loss on equity investment related to this joint venture. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company also received $337,000 of dividend distributions related to this joint venture.

 

48

 

Tax Increment Financing

 

On August 8, 2018, the City Council of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota approved a Contract for Private Redevelopment (“Original Agreement”) between the City of Shakopee Economic Development Authority (“Shakopee EDA”) and Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and its subsidiary Canterbury Development LLC in connection with a Tax Increment Financing District (“TIF District”) that the City had approved in April 2018. The City of Shakopee, the Shakopee EDA and the Company entered into the Redevelopment Agreement on August 10, 2018.

 

Under the Original Agreement, the Company agreed to undertake a number of specific infrastructure improvements within the TIF District and the City agreed that a portion of the tax revenue generated from the developed property will be paid to the Company to reimburse it for its expense in constructing these improvements. Under the Original Agreement, the total estimated cost of TIF eligible improvements to be borne by the Company was $23,336,500.

 

On January 25, 2022, the Company received the fully executed First Amendment to the Contract for Private Redevelopment (the “First Amendment”) among the Company, the City of Shakopee, and the Shakopee EDA, which is effective as of September 7, 2021. Under the First Amendment and as part of the authorized changes regarding the responsibilities of the Company and the City, improvements on Unbridled Avenue will be primarily constructed by the City of Shakopee. As a result, the total estimated cost of TIF eligible improvements to be borne by the Company will be reduced by $5,744,000 to an amount not to exceed $17,592,881. In order to reimburse the Company for the qualified costs related to constructing the developer improvements, the Authority will issue and the Company will receive a TIF Note in the maximum principal amount of $17,592,881. The First Amendment also memorialized that the Company completed the Shenandoah Drive improvements as required prior to December 31, 2019. The City is obligated to issue bonds to finance the portion of the improvements required to be constructed by the City. 

 

A detailed Schedule of the Public Improvements under the First Amendment, the timeline for their construction and the source and amount of funding is set forth in Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2022. The Company expects to substantially complete the remaining Developer Improvements by July 17, 2027 and will be reimbursed for costs of the Developer Improvements incurred by no later than July 17, 2027. The total amount of funding that the Company will be paid as reimbursement under the TIF program for these improvements is not guaranteed, however, and will depend in part on future tax revenues generated from the developed property.

 

As of  December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a TIF receivable of approximately $13,294,000, which represents $11,301,000 of principal and $1,993,000 of interest. Management believes future tax revenues generated from current development activity will exceed the Company's development costs and thus, management believes no allowance related to this receivable is necessary. As of  December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a TIF receivable of approximately  $12,503,000, which represents $11,180,000 of principal and $1,323,000 of interest. 
 

The Company expects to finance its improvements under the Redevelopment Agreement with funds from its current operating resources and existing credit facility and, potentially, third-party financing sources.

 

Recently Closed Transactions Under Real Estate Agreements 

 

On  April 7, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately 11.3 acres of land to the west of the Racetrack to a third party for total consideration of approximately $2,400,000. The Company closed on the first phase of this transaction in  April 2021, which totaled approximately 7.4 acres of land for proceeds of approximately $1,200,000. The Company closed on the second phase of this transaction in  May 2022, which totaled approximately 4.0 acres of land for proceeds of approximately $1,200,000.

 

On  April 15, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately 2.4 acres of land on the west side of the Racetrack to a third party for total consideration of approximately $1,100,000. The Company closed on this transaction in  April 2021. 

 

As a result of these three land sales, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $12,000 and $264,000 on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and  December 31, 2021, respectively. 

 

49

 

13.  RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLES

 

Since 2019, the Company has loaned money to the Doran Canterbury I and II joint ventures in member loans totaling approximately $2,269,000. These member loans bear interest at the rate equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent per annum and totaled $275,000 as of  December 31, 2022. The Company expects to be fully reimbursed for these member loans when the joint ventures achieve positive cash flow.

 

The Company has also recorded related party receivables of approximately $11,000 as of  December 31, 2022, for various related costs incurred by the Company. The Company expects to be fully reimbursed for these costs by the related parties in 2023. 

 

 

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)          Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Randall D. Sampson, and Chief Financial Officer Randy J. Dehmer, have reviewed the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this review, these officers have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b)         Management’s Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting of the Company. This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013). Based on management’s evaluation and those criteria, management concluded that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2022.

 

(c)         Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

50

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

 

Not Applicable. 

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Information Incorporated by Reference.

 

Except as noted below, the information required by this Item concerning directors and corporate governance is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2022. Information required by this Item regarding executive officers is presented under Part I, Item 1. Business of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company. A copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics can be obtained free of charge upon written request directed to the Company’s Secretary at the executive offices of the Company.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Information required under this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. 

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Information required under this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. 

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Information required under this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. 

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required under this Item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. 

 

51

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a).        The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8 pages 34-59:

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial statements

 

(b).        Exhibits

 

Exhibit Table
Reference

 

Title of Document

     

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated June 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

     

3.2

 

Bylaws, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K dated June 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

     
3.3   Amendments effective April 17, 2020 to Bylaws of Canterbury Park Holding Corporation, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 17, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
     

4.1

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     

10.1

 

Horse Association Agreement dated June 4, 2020, by and between the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association, the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association, the Equine Development Coalition of Minnesota, Canterbury Park Holding Corporation, and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, is filed herewith.

     
10.2   Consent and Waiver dated as of June 1, 2020 by Minnesota Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association pursuant to Horse Association Agreement dated June 4, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K dated June 1, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
     

10.3*

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Stock Plan, as amended through June 7, 2017, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 8-K dated June 7, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.4

 

General Credit and Security Agreement dated as of November 11, 2016 between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A., filed as Exhibit 10.10 to 2017 Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

     

10.4.1

 

Credit Amendment Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2018, between and among Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. 

 


*      Denotes an exhibit that covers management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

52

 

Exhibit Table
Reference

 

Title of Document

     

10.4.2

 

Third Amendment made as of September 30, 2019, by and among to the General Credit and Security Agreement between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated September 30, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     
10.4.3   Fourth Amendment made as of September 30, 2020, by and among to the General Credit and Security Agreement between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated September 30, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.4.4   Fifth Amendment made as of December 23, 2020, by and among to the General Credit and Security Agreement between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.4.5   Sixth Amendment made as of February 28, 2021, by and among to the General Credit and Security Agreement between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Bremer Bank N.A., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated February 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
     
10.4.6   Mortgage, Security Agreement, Fixture Financing Statement and Assignment of Leases and Rents dated February 28, 2021 by and among Canterbury Park Entertainment LLC and Bremer Bank, National Association filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated February 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     

10.5

 

Contract for Private Redevelopment dated August 10, 2018 between the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, Economic Development Authority for the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, Canterbury Development LLC, and Canterbury Park Holding Corporation. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     
10.5.1   First Amendment dated as of September 7, 2021 to the Contract for Private Redevelopment dated August 10, 2018 by and among Canterbury Park Holding Corporation, Canterbury Development LLC, the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, and the Economic Development Authority for the City of Shakopee, Minnesota. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated January 25, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
     

10.6

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Annual Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K dated April 5, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     

10.7

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Long Term Annual Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated April 5, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     
10.8   Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through March 23, 2021, incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
10.9   Canterbury Form of Severance and Change in control Letter Agreement approved March 17, 2022 by and between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and its executive officers, incorporated by reference from the Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2022.
     

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant 

53

 

Exhibit Table
Reference

 

Title of Document

     

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     

24

 

Power of Attorney, Included in Signature Page

     

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

32

 

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

99.1

 

Press Release dated March 20, 2023 announcing 2022 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

 

101

 

The following financial information from Canterbury Park Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2022, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language Inline XBRL; (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, and (v) Notes to Financial Statements.

     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
     

(c).       No financial statement schedules are required by Item 8 and Item 15(c) of Form 10-K.

 

Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

None.

 

54

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated:  March 21, 2023

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION

     
 

By

/s/ Randall D. Sampson

   

Randall D. Sampson

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

55

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and the dates indicated have signed this report below.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints RANDY J. DEHMER and RANDALL D. SAMPSON as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any of all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

    

Title

    

Date

         

/s/ Randall D. Sampson

 

Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) and Director

 

March 21, 2023

Randall D. Sampson

 

 

   
         

/s/ Carin J. Offerman

 

Director

  March 21, 2023

Carin J. Offerman

       
         

/s/ Peter Ahn

  Director   March 21, 2023

Peter Ahn

       
         

/s/ Mark Chronister

 

Director

  March 21, 2023

Mark Chronister

       
         

/s/ Maureen H. Bausch

 

Director

  March 21, 2023

Maureen H. Bausch

       
         

/s/ John S. Himle

 

Director

  March 21, 2023

John S. Himle

       
         

/s/ Damon E. Schramm

  Director   March 21, 2023

Damon Schramm

       
         

/s/ Randy J. Dehmer

 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

  March 21, 2023

Randy J. Dehmer 

       

 

 

56