10-K 1 cphc20201231_10k.htm FORM 10-K cphc20201231_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, 2020

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. Yes ☐    No ☒

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 the shares of voting and non-voting common equity 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, 2020, the end of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $27,547,073. On March 24, 2021, the Company had 4,758,367 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on June 3, 2021 and which will be filed on or before April 30, 2021, 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, 2020

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

PART I

   

ITEM 1.

Business

3

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

14

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

20

ITEM 2.

Properties

20

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

22

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

22

   

PART II

     

ITEM 5.

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

22

ITEM 6.

Selected Financial Data

22

ITEM 7.

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

24

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

34

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

35

ITEM 9.

Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

61

ITEM 9A.

Controls and Procedures

61

ITEM 9B.

Other Information

62

   

PART III

     

ITEM 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

62

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

62

ITEM 12.

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

62

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

62

ITEM 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

62

   

PART IV

     

ITEM 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

63

ITEM 16.

Form 10-K Summary

66

     

SIGNATURES

67

 

 

2

 

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

Available Information

 

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

 

We also make available free of charge through our website (www.canterburypark.com) our 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 furnishes it 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) Card 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 Card 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) Card Casino, and (iii) food and beverage segments through Canterbury Entertainment. We conduct our real estate development segment through Canterbury Development.

 

COVID-19 Impact on 2020 Racetrack Operations

 

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, our 2020 operating results were significantly different than in prior years and there is continuing uncertainty about the duration and the effect of COVID-19 coronavirus on our 2021 and future operations. 

 

We temporarily suspended all Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations at Canterbury Park on March 16, 2020 in response to concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus. We determined this voluntary suspension of activities was in the best interest of the health and safety of our guests and team members and would provide us an opportunity to review and update operational best practices and strategies based on what was then known about this public health situation and future developments. Our Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations remained closed until June 10, 2020. 

 

We began our live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing season at Canterbury Park on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The 2020 live racing season was scheduled for 53 days of live racing Monday through Thursday between June 10 and September 16, 2020. We hosted a limited number of spectators during live racing and also resumed simulcast wagering on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. We reopened of the Canterbury Park Card Casino on June 13, 2020, subject to Minnesota state guidelines on capacity limitations, social distancing and cleaning protocols.

 

Pursuant to subsequent Executive Orders by Minnesota’s Governor, the Company’s Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations at Canterbury Park were temporarily closed again from November 21, 2020 through January 10, 2021. We reopened our Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations on January 11, 2021, subject to current statewide COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.

 

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In the Business Section and in the Management's Discussion and Analysis Section of this Form 10-K, the Company discusses how COVID-19 affected the Company's 2020 operations and how the Company expects it may affect 2021 operations.

 

While we temporarily suspended all Card Casino, simulcast, and special event operations at Canterbury Park for a total of approximately eighteen weeks in 2020, we continued to conduct our real estate development operations in 2020, which were not affected by the executive orders.

 

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 Card 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 Card Casino at the Racetrack. The Card 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 Card 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, Card Casino, concessions and other related businesses (“Racetrack Operations”), and is subject to direct regulation by the MRC. We own approximately 330 acres of land as of December 31, 2020, in Shakopee, Minnesota where the Racetrack is located. 

 

Traditionally, our revenues have been principally derived from three activities: Card Casino operations, wagering on live and simulcast horse races, and food and beverage sales. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from Card Casino operations represented 60.1% of total revenues, wagering on horse races generated 32.4% of total revenues, and food and beverage revenue represented 7.5% of total revenues. These components of revenue are described in more detail below. 

 

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.

 

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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 3.25% 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.

 

Live Racing

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Racetrack hosted 53 days and 66 days, respectively, of live racing beginning in May (in 2019) and June (in 2020) and concluding in September. 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. 

 

We are a party to a Cooperative Marketing Agreement (“CMA”) originally dated June 4, 2012 with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (“SMSC”), a federally recognized Indian tribe. The primary purpose of the CMA is to increase purses paid during live horse racing at Canterbury Park’s Racetrack in order to strengthen Minnesota’s thoroughbred and quarter horse industry. Pursuant to CMA, we also entered into a Horse Association Agreement with the horsepersons’ associations and SMSC in which the MHBPA agreed to waive the 125-day requirement if at least 65 days of live racing are scheduled each year beginning in 2013.

 

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 agreed to provide up to $5,620,000 for the annual purse enhancement for the year 2020. This amount was calculated by multiplying the expected 52 days of 2020 live horseracing times the amount of $108,077 per live horseracing day. Consistent with the original CMA, the Company did not receive any part of the purse enhancement amount. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC also agreed to pay the $100,000 2020 Annual Horse Association Payment payable under the Horse Association Agreement. The annual purse enhancement that the SMSC is obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $7,280,000 per year.

 

The Fifth Amendment also provides that the SMSC was not required to pay the Company a 2020 annual marketing payment. Instead, the First Amendment provides that the Company did use $1,248,343 of annual marketing payments from prior years that were unspent as of January 1, 2020 for joint marketing efforts for the mutual benefit of the Company and SMSC. The Company used a portion of these funds to promote, improve, or assist in the operation of horse racing at the Racetrack upon approval by the SMSC. The annual marketing payment that the SMSC is obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $1,620,000 per year.

 

In connection with the Fifth Amendment, the MHBPA executed a Consent and Waiver on June 1, 2020 pursuant to the Horse Association Agreement. Under the Consent, the MHBPA waived the 125-day requirement for live racing days conducted by the Company, with no minimum number of live racing days required in 2020, provided that there are at least 65 live racing days each year beginning in 2021.

 

If, for any reason, the MHBPA ceases to be bound by its obligations under 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.

 

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

 

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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 after 2020. If either the MRC or the MHBPA does 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.

 

              Card Casino Operations

 

The Card 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 2021, the Card Casino was offering the following table games: Blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Fortune Pai Gow, Three 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 Card 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 Card 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 Card Casino revenues towards purses for live horse racing at the Racetrack. After meeting the $6 million threshold, the Company must pay 14% of gross Card 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. 

 

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               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 Card Casino and simulcast area. The Card Casino offers tableside menu service 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 are the fourth largest event space 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. In 2016, we completed construction of a redesign of the infield of the Racetrack to use the space as a concert and event area. In addition to event space, we rent space in our horse stable area for boat storage during the winter months.

 

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 2020, 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, 2020, 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. 

 

The following is a summary of our real estate development projects within Canterbury Commons as of December 31, 2020:

 

● Our first real estate development project in Canterbury Commons began in 2018 with the first of two joint venture agreements between Canterbury Development and an affiliate of Doran Companies (“Doran”) for the development of the upscale Triple Crown Residences at Canterbury Park. Construction of the 321-unit first phase, which is being developed pursuant to the first joint venture agreement, began in late 2018 with initial occupancy on June 1, 2020. As of the end of December 2020, 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 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 is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2021.

 

○ 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.

 

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● Development work related to the Company’s joint venture with Greystone Construction (“Greystone”) was 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. Greystone’s development work to date is primarily for a new 28,000 square foot office building, with Greystone committed to occupy the second floor as its new corporate headquarters. The project is expected to be completed by July 2021.

 

○ As a result of this joint venture, 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 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. 

 

● Development work by Pulte Homes of Minnesota on 109 new row homes and townhome residences at Canterbury Commons is expected to start in the spring of 2021 following approvals. Lifestyle Communities is working on its approvals with the City of Shakopee for a new cooperative community featuring a 56-unit, four-story building with over 5,000 square feet of amenity spaces that is expected to begin construction in the fall of 2021. 

 

○ 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 and Lifestyle Communities for total consideration of approximately $3,500,000. Closing of each of these transactions is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and we expect these transactions to close in 2021.

 

In addition to the approximately 50 acres under development or under contract, the Company continues to make progress with developer and partner selection for the remaining approximately 90 acres of the Canterbury Commons development. While most of the development that is underway is residential, the focus will be on entertainment, office, retail, hotel and restaurant uses for the next phase of Canterbury Commons. 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 Card 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 (the "SMSC").

 

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; however, the legal clarification of this type of wagering will significantly intensify the competition in the marketplace.

 

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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

 

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.

 

9

 

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.

 

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, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid $153,000 and $643,000 respectively, to the MRC as reimbursement for costs of regulating live racing operations.

 

The MRC is also authorized by the Racing Act to regulate Card Casino operations. The law requires that the Company reimburse the MRC for its actual costs, including personnel costs, of regulating the Card Casino. For fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid $265,000 and $245,000, respectively, to the MRC as reimbursement for costs of regulating Card 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 $252,000 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.

 

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.

 

10

 

Recent Legislation

 

Minimum Wage Legislation

 

In 2014, Minnesota legislation enacted into law an increase in the minimum wage that must be paid to most Company employees. Beginning January 1, 2018, the minimum wage was set to increase 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 2021 is $10.08 per hour. Prior to August 1, 2014, the Company employed a large number of individuals who received an hourly wage equal to or slightly above $7.25 per hour. As a result, this legislation had an adverse financial impact on the Company in 2014 through 2020, and will continue to have an adverse impact on the Company. We have implemented measures to partially mitigate the impact of this increase 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.

 

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 $1,633,000 and $941,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As part of the agreement, 50% of source market fees is allocated to purse accounts and the MBF.

 

Cooperative Marketing Agreement

 

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA is 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 is achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA.

 

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 agreed to provide up to $5,620,000 for the annual purse enhancement for the year 2020. This amount was calculated by multiplying the expected 52 days of 2020 live horseracing times the amount of $108,077 per live horseracing day. Consistent with the original CMA, the Company will not receive any part of the purse enhancement amount. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC also agreed to pay the $100,000 2020 Annual Horse Association Payment payable under the Horse Association Agreement. The annual purse enhancement that the SMSC is obligated to pay under Agreement for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $7,280,000 per year.

 

The Fifth Amendment also provides that the SMSC is not required to pay the Company a 2020 annual marketing payment. Instead, the First Amendment provides that the Company will use $1,248,343 of annual marketing payments from prior years that were unspent as of January 1, 2020 for joint marketing efforts for the mutual benefit of the Company and SMSC. The Company may also use a portion of these funds to promote, improve, or assist in the operation of horse racing at the Racetrack upon approval by the SMSC. The annual marketing payment that the SMSC is obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $1,620,000 per year.

 

The purse enhancement payments to horsemen have 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.

11

 

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 Card 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, Card 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.

 

Human Capital and Team Members

 

Talent Management 

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had 227 full-time team members and 383 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. During 2020, in an effort to reduce current and future costs in response to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, we made difficult decisions that impacted our team members. During the temporary closures and suspension of the Company’s operations described above, all Canterbury Park team members, except for a limited number of key personnel required for basic ongoing maintenance, security, and management needs, were placed on an unpaid furlough. The Company also implemented a salary reduction for all remaining non-furloughed team members based on a combination of the team member’s salary and the team member’s responsibilities during the temporary shutdown. Upon the Company’s reopening of operations, the Company implemented a salary reduction for the management team, which was in effect through 2020. Additionally, pandemic-related restrictions on our special events and group sales operations impacted our non-gaming business for the remainder of 2020 and continues to impact us today. To address this challenge, the Company made the very difficult decision to align staffing levels with the current level of our non-gaming business. These actions included leaving vacant positions unfilled, furloughing team members, pay reductions for senior leadership, and some job eliminations.

 

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 2019 and reflected an engagement level among our team members that exceeded the average engagement levels of benchmarked companies. 

 

12

 

Health and Safety

 

During 2020, we focused significant attention on the effective handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We implemented new protocols and processes designed to limit the spread of the virus. These include the use of hand sanitizers and face masks, new cleaning and disinfecting regimes, the implementation of social distancing measures in restaurants, bars, gaming, recreation, and back of the house areas, and a detailed contact tracing protocol. We have made physical changes to our properties, such as the installation of thermal screening points at entrances and changes to our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems. We have also enabled employees to work from home where possible. 

 

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, 2021 are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position with Company

Randall D. Sampson

 

62

 

President, CEO, and Executive Chairman of the Board

         

Randy J. Dehmer

 

38

 

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 Executive 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 Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:JCS), a manufacturer of telecommunications and data communications products based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. 

 

Randy J. Dehmer was hired as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer in May 2019. 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 the financial controller for Clearfield, Inc., a public company located in the Twin Cities.

 

13

 

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 future performance and results. Management believes the factors described below are the most significant risks that could have a material impact on our business.

 

Risk Factors Related to Horse Racing and Gaming Generally 

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has materially adversely affected the number of visitors at our facility and disrupted our operations, and we expect this adverse impact to continue until the COVID-19 Pandemic is contained.

 

We expect the impact of the disruptions resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the extent of their adverse impact on our financial and operational results, will be dictated by the length of time such disruptions continue. Although our property is currently open as of this report, we cannot predict whether future closures would be appropriate or could be mandated. Even once capacity restrictions are modified or cease to be necessary, demand for gaming may remain weak for a significant length of time and we cannot predict if or when the gaming and non-gaming activities at our property will return to pre-outbreak levels of volume or pricing. In particular, future demand for gaming may be negatively impacted by the adverse changes in the perceived or actual economic climate, including higher unemployment rates, declines in income levels, and loss of personal wealth or reduced spending resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

 

Our business would also be impacted should the disruptions from the COVID-19 Pandemic lead to prolonged changes in consumer behavior. There are certain limitations on our ability to mitigate the adverse financial impact of these matters, such as the fixed costs at our properties. The COVID-19 Pandemic also makes it more challenging for management to estimate the future performance of our business, particularly over the near to medium term. Any of these events may continue to disrupt our ability to staff our business adequately, could continue to generally disrupt our operations or development projects and, if the global response to contain the COVID-19 Pandemic escalates or is unsuccessful, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Given the uncertainty around the extent and timing of the potential future spread or mitigation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and around the imposition or relaxation of protective measures, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact on our future results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

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. 

 

14

 

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 has been substantially strengthened by the purse enhancement payments that are scheduled to be 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.

 

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, and we expect the effects of the pandemic to impact 2021 results as well. 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 receive under the CMA, we still expect to outperform the industry as it relates to field size, live handle, and simulcast handle in 2021 and beyond. 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.

 

Our horse racing and gaming businesses are sensitive to economic conditions that may affect consumer confidence, consumer discretionary spending, or our access to credit in a manner that adversely affects our operations.

 

Economic trends can affect consumer confidence and consumers’ discretionary spending. Lower consumer confidence or reductions in consumer discretionary spending could result in fewer patrons spending money at our racetrack. Our access to and cost of credit may be affected to the extent global and U.S. credit markets are affected by downward economic trends. Our ability to respond to periods of economic contraction may be limited, as some of our costs remain fixed or even increase when revenue declines.

 

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.

 

15

 

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.

 

Risks Related to Our Relationship with SMSC

 

As discussed above, on June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA is 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 is achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA. These payments have no direct impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or operations. Under the CMA, as amended, the SMSC paid the horsemen $7.3 million for purse enhancements for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, with a lower amount in 2020 due to the more limited racing season and fewer races at Canterbury Park. 

 

If the Company breaches its obligations under the terms of the agreement, the Company is obligated to repay (1) all amounts paid by SMSC pursuant to the agreement; (2) pay to the SMSC an amount equal to all Horse Association Payments paid by SMSC; and (3) pay to SMSC any additional amounts for any other damages SMSC incurs. The Company has not violated and does not intend to violate its obligations with respect to the agreement. The Company believes the likelihood of a breach of obligations is remote.

 

Purse Enhancement Payments and Marketing Payments under our CMA with SMSC may not continue after 2022.

 

The term of the CMA with SMSC ends December 31, 2022, and there is no certainty the CMA can be extended or renegotiated on terms that are mutually acceptable to SMSC, the horsepersons’ associations, and the Company. In particular, there can be no assurance that, after December 31, 2022, SMSC’s purse enhancement payments to the horsepersons’ associations and marketing payments to the Company will continue at the levels currently being paid, if at all. If, by December 31, 2022, the CMA is not extended or renegotiated on economic terms substantially similar to those currently in effect or due to the parties being unable to mutually agree on other terms, the Company’s future revenue from live racing and its profitability could be materially adversely affected.

 

16

 

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 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 Card-Casino-related taxes and fees in addition to normal federal, state, and local income taxes. 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 Card 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. Construction of the 321-unit first phase began in late 2018 with initial occupancy on June 1, 2020. As of the end of December 2020, 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. 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 is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021.

 

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. 

 

17

 

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.

 

18

 

General Risk Factors

 

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 $10.00 per hour for 2020. See “Recent Legislation” above for additional information regarding recently enacted 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.

 

We depend on key personnel.

 

Our continued success and our ability to maintain our competitive position is largely dependent upon, among other things, the skills and efforts of our senior executives and management team including Randall D. Sampson, our Chief Executive Officer. We have no employment agreements with our senior executives and key personnel, and we cannot guarantee that these individuals will remain with us. Their retention is affected by the competitiveness of our terms of employment and our ability to compete effectively against other gaming companies. Our inability to retain key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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.

 

19

 

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.

 

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. 

 

Energy and fuel price increases may adversely affect our costs of operations and our revenues.

 

Our facility uses significant amounts of electricity, natural gas, and other forms of energy. Increases in the cost of electricity or natural gas negatively affect our results of operations. In addition, energy and fuel price increases could negatively affect our operations by reducing disposable income of potential customers and decreasing visits to our facility.

 

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 generally compare favorably to other major racetracks located throughout the country. 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. The grandstand and most public outdoor areas contain numerous pari-mutuel windows, odds information boards, video monitors, food and beverage stands, and other amenities.

 

20

 

The Racetrack is located approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The area immediately surrounding the Racetrack consists of retail, commercial and industrial buildings, farmland, and residential areas. The Racetrack is close to a number of major entertainment destinations including: Valleyfair, an amusement park about two miles from the Racetrack that annually attracts visitors during the spring and summer; the Renaissance Festival, a seven-weekend late summer annual event located about five miles from the Racetrack; and Mystic Lake Casino, located about four miles from the Racetrack, which draws thousands of visitors daily. The Mall of America, the largest enclosed shopping mall in the United States, which attracts more than 40 million visitors per year, is approximately 17 miles from the Racetrack.

 

Racing Surfaces

 

The racing surfaces consist of a one-mile oval dirt/limestone track and a 7/8-mile oval turf course. The dirt track includes a one and one-quarter mile front stretch chute, a 6-1/2 furlong backstretch chute, and a 3-1/2 furlong chute and is lighted for night racing.

 

Grandstand

 

The grandstand is a modern, air-conditioned enclosed structure of approximately 275,000 square feet with a variety of facilities on six levels. The lower level contains space for support functions such as jockey quarters, administrative offices, Racing Commission offices, first aid, mechanical rooms, and electrical rooms. The track level includes pari-mutuel windows, restrooms, a variety of concession stands and other services as well as the Card Casino, which occupies 22,000 square feet. The mezzanine level contains 1,320 fixed seats in a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned area and an additional 3,000 seats located outside. The mezzanine level also contains pari-mutuel windows, restrooms, concession stands, and other guest facilities. A portion of the mezzanine level is currently being used as a simulcast center during live racing, and for banquets and other events during the off-season. The kitchen level is an intermediate level located between the mezzanine and clubhouse floors. It contains a full-service kitchen that supports a full dining menu for the track-side dining terraces on the clubhouse level and food preparation for the other concession areas. The clubhouse level is a multi-purpose area that includes a simulcast center for wagering on televised races, a full-service dining area during the live racing season, and a year-round banquet facility. The clubhouse level includes 325 trackside tables, each equipped with a television set, with a total seating capacity of 1,200 patrons and an additional 1,000 seats are located in lounges located throughout the area. The press box and officials’ level is located in the roof trusses over the clubhouse and contains work areas for the press, racing officials, closed-circuit television, photo finish, and the track announcer. In addition, the grandstand was structurally built to accommodate skyboxes under the press box/officials’ level, although none have yet been constructed. Escalators and elevators are available to move patrons among the various levels within the grandstand.

 

Expo Center

 

In 2014, the Company added an Expo Center, which is a 30,000 square foot structure designed for year-round special events, trade shows, and exhibits. The facility features 24,000 square feet of open event space and another 6,000 square feet containing an entry area, offices, restrooms and storage. Canterbury Park now offers the fourth largest event space in the Twin Cities with more than 100,000 total square feet of available space.

 

Barn and Backside Facilities

 

The stable area consists of 33 barns with a total of approximately 1,650 stalls. In the stable area, there are 240 dormitory rooms for the grooms and others working at the Racetrack. The stable area also contains a combination racing office and cafeteria/recreation building for stable personnel, two blacksmith buildings, and a 5/8 mile training track.

 

Parking

 

Approximately 5,500 paved parking spaces are available for patron and employee vehicles at the Racetrack, including parking spaces that are reserved for handicapped patrons. The Racetrack also has unpaved areas available for overflow parking for approximately 3,000 additional automobiles.

 

21

 

Underutilized Land

 

In 2020, the Company transferred approximately 23 acres of land to the Doran Canterbury II and Canterbury DBSV joint ventures as part of its equity contribution in these projects. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has approximately 90 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

 

(a)          MARKET INFORMATION

 

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

 

(b)          HOLDERS

 

At March 15, 2021, the Company had 615 shareholders of record of its common stock. Since many holders’ shares are listed under their brokerage firms’ names, the actual number of shareholders is estimated by the Company to be over 2,000.

 

(c)          DIVIDENDS

 

On March 16, 2020, the Company announced that due to the effect of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Company’s Board of Directors had suspended declaring and paying its quarterly cash dividend until the Company's business operations return to normal. Prior to 2020, the Company had a dividend policy to pay regular quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders based on the Company’s earnings, projected future earnings, and cash requirements. In 2019, the Company paid a $0.07 per share dividend in January, April, July, and October.

 

 

22

 

(d)          SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2020 regarding our equity compensation plans:

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

   

(a)

   

(b)

   

(c)

 
Plan Category  

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

   

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 (excluding shares in column (a))

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

                       

1994 Stock Plan

    9,000     $ 13.30       263,810  

1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

                16,826  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:

                       

Total

    9,000               280,636  

 

 

(e)          REGULATION S-K, ITEM 201(e) INFORMATION

 

Not Applicable for Smaller Reporting Companies.

 

(f)           RECENT SALE OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

 

Not Applicable.

 

(g)          PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER

 

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 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 10b-18 in open market transactions or block purchases of privately negotiated transactions (the “Stock Repurchase Plan”). 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 2020 or 2019, and currently the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 128,781 shares under the Stock Repurchase Plan.

 

 

23

 

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

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 Card 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 Card Casino at the Racetrack. The Card Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Card 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 2020, 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 2020, and sales of parcels of land to third parties that will then develop the property. 

 

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

 

Financial Performance Summary

 

2020

     

2019

     

2018

     

2017

     

2016

   

Net Revenues

  $ 33,140       $ 59,227       $ 59,142       $ 56,953       $ 52,460    

Operating Expenses

    34,882         55,591   (4)     53,866   (3)     52,432   (2)     49,165   (1)

Gain on Transfer/Sale of Land

    2,368                 2,371                 3,846    

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

    (189 )       3,963         7,708         4,571         7,120    

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

    1,251         (1,244 )       (1,990 )       (480 )       (2,924 )  

Net Income

    1,062         2,718         5,718         4,091         4,196    

 


1

During fiscal year 2016, the Company reduced operating expenses $1,465,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries.

2

During fiscal year 2017, the Company reduced operating expenses $141,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries.

3

During fiscal year 2018, the Company reduced operating expenses $21,000 by recording a gain on insurance recoveries.

4

During fiscal year 2019, the Company reduced operating expenses $211,000 by recording a $199,000 gain on insurance recoveries and $12,000 gain on sale of assets. 

 

Our long-term strategic direction is to continue to enhance our Racetrack as a unique gaming and entertainment destination and develop the approximately 90 acres of underutilized land not needed for our Racetrack Operations. 

 

24

 

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

 

In January 2020, an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus was identified. The disease has since spread rapidly across the world, causing the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”) on March 12, 2020. Since that time, governments and businesses have taken measures to limit the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the issuance of shelter-in-place orders, social distancing measures, travel bans and restrictions and business shutdowns.

 

On March 16, 2020, the Company announced that, based on the advice of Minnesota state and regulatory bodies, it was temporarily suspending all Card Casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations at Canterbury Park in response to concerns about the COVID-19 Pandemic. Canterbury Park determined this voluntary suspension of activities was in the best interest of the health and safety of its guests and team members and would provide the Company an opportunity to review and update operational best practices and strategies based on what was currently known about this public health situation and future developments. On June 10, 2020, the Company reopened and resumed simulcast, live racing, and food and beverage operations. The Company also resumed table games and poker operations in the Company’s Card Casino on June 15, 2020 and July 9, 2020, respectively. These reopenings were done in compliance with Minnesota state guidelines on capacity limitations.

 

On November 18, 2020, Minnesota state and regulatory bodies issued an executive order requiring closure of places of public accommodation as a measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the Company temporarily suspended all card casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations from November 21, 2020 through January 10, 2021. 

 

Despite a strong start to the year, the disruptions arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic had a significant impact on the Company's financial condition and operations during the year ended December 31, 2020. The duration and intensity of this global health emergency and related disruptions is uncertain. Given the dynamic nature of these circumstances, the impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition in 2020 has been material, and the Company expects it will continue to be material. The Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time when the COVID-19 Pandemic will end, or when or how quickly the current travel restrictions and capacity restrictions will be modified or cease to be necessary. As a result, it is difficult to predict the continuing and future impact on the Company’s business and the willingness of customers to spend on entertainment in venues such as ours.

 

The Company had no long-term debt and a $6.0 million credit line as of December 31, 2020. The Company anticipates that its existing cash balance, any cash generated from operations and availability under its credit line will provide the Company with the necessary liquidity and financial flexibility to manage through this challenging operating environment. We have taken significant actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our operations, including initiating workforce reductions and furloughs, suspending the Company’s quarterly cash dividend, postponing non-essential capital expenditures, reducing operating costs, and substantially reducing discretionary spending. We expect these countermeasures to partially mitigate the impact of COVID-19. As the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the economy and our operations evolves, we will continue to assess the impact on the Company and respond accordingly.

 

25

 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

 

YEAR ENDED December 31, 2020 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED December 31, 2019

 

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, which reflects additional adjustments to Net Income to eliminate unusual or non-recurring items, as well as items relating to our real estate development operations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Adjusted EBITDA excluded the loss on disposal of assets, gain on transfer of land, and depreciation and amortization related to equity investments. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Adjusted EBITDA excluded the loss on disposal of assets, gain on insurance recoveries, and gain on sale of assets. 

 

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

 

SUMMARY OF EBITDA DATA

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

NET INCOME

  $ 1,062,014     $ 2,718,274  

Interest income, net

    (663,571 )     (329,150 )

Income tax (benefit) expense

    (1,250,845 )     1,244,263  

Depreciation

    2,748,514       2,679,728  

EBITDA

    1,896,112       6,313,115  

Gain on insurance recoveries

          (198,874 )

Loss on disposal of assets

    13,407       261,728  

Gain on sale of assets

          (12,141 )

Gain on transfer of land

    (2,367,514 )      
Depreciation and amortization related to equity investments     918,571        
Interest expense related to equity investments     345,379        

ADJUSTED EBITDA

  $ 805,955     $ 6,363,828  

 

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $5,560,000, or 87.3%, and decreased as a percentage of net revenues to 2.4% from 10.7% for 2020 compared to 2019.

 

26

 

REVENUES

 

Total net revenues for 2020 were $33,140,000, a decrease of $26,087,000, or 44.0%, compared to total net revenues of $59,227,000 for 2019. Total pari-mutuel revenue decreased 18.9%, Card Casino revenue decreased 42.2%, food and beverage revenue decreased 73.3%, and other revenue decreased 52.4% in 2020 compared to 2019. See below for a further discussion of our sources of revenues.

 

PARI-MUTUEL REVENUES

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Simulcast

  $ 2,878,000     $ 5,364,000  

Live racing

    723,000       2,151,000  

Guest fees

    2,743,000       1,203,000  

Other revenue

    1,635,000       1,115,000  

Total Pari-Mutuel Revenue

  $ 7,979,000     $ 9,833,000  
                 

Racing Days

               

Simulcast only racing days

    187       298  

Live and simulcast racing days

    53       66  

Total Number of Racing Days

    240       364  

 

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 2020 pari-mutuel revenue decreased $1,854,000, or 18.9%, compared to 2019. Simulcast revenue decreased $2,486,000, or 46.3%, and live racing revenue decreased $1,428,000, or 66.4% in 2020 compared to 2019. These decreases are due to the COVID-19 Pandemic described above, including the fact that these operations were closed from March 16, 2020 until June 10, 2020 and from November 21, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Guest fees increased $1,540,000, or 128.0%, in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to increased out of state handle as a result of racing weekdays in 2020. Other revenue increased $520,000, or 46.6% in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to an increase in ADW revenues. 

 

CARD CASINO REVENUES

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Poker Games

  $ 3,747,000     $ 7,501,000  

Table Games

    14,307,000       23,206,000  

Total Collection Revenue

    18,054,000       30,707,000  

Other Poker Revenue

    922,000       2,300,000  
Other Table Games Revenue     910,000       1,399,000  

Total Card Casino Revenue

  $ 19,886,000     $ 34,406,000  

 

The primary source of Card Casino revenue is a percentage of the wagers received from the players as compensation for providing the Card 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. Card Casino revenue represented 60.0% and 58.1% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Total Card Casino revenue decreased $14,520,000, or 42.2%, in 2020 compared to 2019. Poker revenue decreased $3,754,000, or 50.0%, and table games collection revenue decreased $8,899,000, or 38.3%, in 2020 compared to 2019. These decreases are due to the COVID-19 Pandemic described above. When the Company reopened its table games operations on June 15, 2020 and poker operations on July 9, 2020, this included reduced seating at tables and capacity limitations to follow Minnesota state guidelines. 

 

27

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE REVENUES

 

Food and beverage revenue decreased $6,522,000, or 73.3%, to $2,373,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to the COVID-19 Pandemic described above, including the fact that these operations were closed from March 16, 2020 until June 10, 2020 and from November 21, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

 

OTHER REVENUES

 

Other revenue decreased $3,190,000, or 52.4%, to $2,902,000 in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to the COVID-19 Pandemic described above, including the fact that these operations were closed from March 16, 2020 until June 10, 2020 and from November 21, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Total operating expenses decreased $20,709,000, or 37.3%, to $34,882,000 in 2020, from $55,591,000 in 2019. Total operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 105.3% in 2020 from 93.9% in 2019

 

Total purse expense decreased $2,033,000, or 29.1%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to decreases in Card Casino and pari-mutuel revenues as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This also resulted in a decrease 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 Card 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

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Card Casino

  $ 2,290,000     $ 4,335,000     $ 254,000     $ 482,000  

Simulcast Racing

    1,275,000       1,678,000       451,000       465,000  

Live Racing

    1,382,000       967,000       37,000       106,000  

Total

  $ 4,947,000     $ 6,980,000     $ 742,000     $ 1,053,000  

 

Salaries and benefits expense decreased $9,601,000, or 37.6%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which resulted in the majority of Company employees being placed on an unpaid furlough during the temporary suspension of operations. Labor costs also significantly declined upon reopen in June due to the Company's limited operations requiring significantly reduced number of personnel. 

 

Cost of food and beverage sales decreased $2,845,000, or 69.8%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to lower food and beverage revenues due to decreased attendance, primarily due to capacity limitations mandated across the Company’s operations as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

Advertising and marketing costs decreased $1,775,000, or 82.5%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease is due to a reduction in advertising and marketing spend due to capacity limitations mandated across the Company’s operations as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

           During 2020, the Company recorded a gain on transfer of land of $2,368,000 as a result of transferring land to the Doran Canterbury II and Canterbury DBSV joint ventures.

 

In 2019, the Company recorded a loss on disposal of assets totaling $262,000. Included in this amount is the write-off of assets disposed of in remodeling the Card Casino. The Company also recorded a loss on disposal of assets related to development site work costs. Additionally, the Company disposed of assets related to its RV Park as a result of developing the property around the Racetrack.

 

In 2019, the Company recorded a gain on insurance recoveries of $199,000 as a result of insurance proceeds related to water damage incurred at the Racetrack.

 

Net Income for the years 2020 and 2019 was $1,062,000 and $2,718,000, respectively.

 

28

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and are based upon certain critical accounting policies. These policies may require management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our historical experience, contract terms, observance of known trends in our Company and the industry as a whole, and information available from other outside sources. Our estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those initial estimates.

 

Our critical accounting policies are:

 

 

revenue recognition;

 

property and equipment; and

 

income tax expense.

 

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Revenue recognition - Racing revenue is generated by pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast racing content. Additionally, we also generate revenue through sponsorships, admissions, concessions, and publications. Our racing revenue and income are influenced by our racing calendar. Therefore, revenue and operating results for any interim quarter are not generally indicative of the revenue and operating results for the year and may not be comparable with results for the corresponding period of the previous year. We recognize pari-mutuel revenue upon occurrence of the live race that is presented for wagering after that live race is made official by the respective state’s racing regulatory body. We recognize other operating revenue such as sponsorships, admissions, concessions, and publication revenue once delivery of the product or service has occurred. Card Casino revenue is a percentage of the wagers received from the players as compensation for providing the Card Casino facility and services, referred to as “collection revenue.”

 

Property and Equipment - We have significant capital invested in our property and equipment, which represents approximately 49% of our total assets at December 31, 2020. We use our judgment in various ways including: determining whether an expenditure is considered a maintenance expense or a capital asset; determining the estimated useful lives of assets; and determining if or when an asset has been impaired or has been disposed. Management periodically reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of these assets with their related expected undiscounted future net cash flows. If the sum of the related expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying value, we will determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. As of December 31, 2020, we have determined that no impairment of these assets exists.

 

Income taxes - We use estimates and judgments for financial reporting to determine our current tax liability and deferred taxes. In accordance with the liability method of accounting for income taxes, we recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Adjustments to deferred taxes are determined based upon changes in differences between the book basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and measured by enacted tax rates we estimate will be applicable when these differences are expected to reverse. Changes in current tax laws, enacted tax rates or the estimated level of taxable income or non-deductible expense could change the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and affect the overall effective tax rate and tax provision.

 

MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION

 

In 2014, Minnesota legislation enacted into law an increase in the minimum wage that must be paid to most Company employees. Beginning January 1, 2018, the minimum wage was set to increase 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 2021 is $10.08 per hour. Prior to August 1, 2014, the Company employed a large number of individuals who received an hourly wage equal to or slightly above $7.25 per hour. As a result, this legislation had an adverse financial impact on the Company in 2014 through 2020, and will continue to have an adverse impact on the Company. We have implemented measures to partially mitigate the impact of this increase 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.

 

29

 

COOPERATIVE MARKETING AGREEMENT

 

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA is 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, this is achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA. These payments have 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. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC agreed to provide up to $5,620,000 for the annual purse enhancement for the year 2020. The annual purse enhancement that the SMSC is obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $7,380,000 per year.

 

Under the terms of the CMA, as amended, the SMSC made payments of $5.6 million and $7.4 million during 2020 and 2019, respectively, primarily for purse enhancements for the respective live race meets.

 

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. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC was not required to pay the Company a 2020 annual marketing payment, but the Company used previously paid but unspent funds for these purposes.

 

As noted above and affirmed in the Fifth Amendment, SMSC is obligated to make the following purse enhancement and marketing payments for 2021 through 2022:

 

   

Purse Enhancement Payments to

   

Marketing Payments to Canterbury

 

Year

 

Horsemen (1)

   

Park

 

2021

  $ 7,380,000     $ 1,620,000  

2022

    7,380,000       1,620,000  

 


1 - Includes $100,000 each year payable to various horsemen associations

 

The amounts received from the marketing payments 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, 2020, the Company recorded $900,000 in other revenue and incurred $740,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $160,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $1,114,000 in other revenue and incurred $888,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $226,000 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.

 

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

 

CONTINGENCIES

 

In accordance with an Earn Out Promissory Note given to the prior owner of the Racetrack as part of the consideration paid by the Company to acquire the Racetrack in 1994, if (i) off-track betting becomes legally permissible in the State of Minnesota and (ii) the Company begins to conduct off-track betting with respect to or in connection with its operations, the Company would be required to pay to the IMR Fund, L.P. the greater of (a) $700,000 per operating year, as defined, or (b) 20% of the net pretax profit, as defined for each of five operating years. At this time, management believes that the likelihood that these two conditions will be met and that the Company would be required to pay these amounts is remote. If these two conditions are met, the five minimum payments would be discounted back to their present value and the sum of those discounted payments would be capitalized as part of the purchase price in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The purchase price would be further increased if payments become due under the “20% of Net Pretax Profit” calculation. The first payment is to be made 90 days after the end of the third operating year in which off-track betting is conducted by the Company. Remaining payments would be made within 90 days of the end of each of the next four operating years.

 

30

 

The Company entered into a CMA with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that became effective on June 4, 2012 and has been amended, as discussed above. The CMA contains certain covenants that, if breached, would trigger an obligation to repay a specified amount related to such covenant. At this time, management believes that the likelihood that the breach of a covenant will occur and that the Company will be required to pay the specified amount related to such covenant is remote.

 

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, 2020 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 2020 or 2019, and there is no liability related to this bond on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Cash provided by operating activities for 2020 was $1,677,000 as a result of net income of $1,062,000 and was increased by 2020 noncash charges from depreciation of $2,749,000, stock-based compensation expense of $469,000, stock-based employee match contribution of $371,000, deferred income taxes of $2,943,000, and loss from equity investment of $1,478,000. Cash from operating activities in 2020 was reduced by a gain on transfer of land of $2,368,000. The Company also experienced an increase in payable to horsepersons of $1,817,000 in 2020 as compared to 2019. This was partially offset by a decrease in accrued wages and payroll taxes of $1,104,000, decrease in deferred revenue of $1,046,000, and increase in income taxes receivable of $4,153,000 in 2020 as compared to 2019. 

 

Cash provided by operating activities for 2019 was $6,738,000 as a result of net income of $2,718,000 and was increased by 2019 noncash charges from depreciation of $2,680,000, stock-based compensation expense of $235,000, stock-based employee match contribution of $689,000, and a loss on disposal of assets of $262,000. Cash from operating activities in 2019 was reduced by a gain on insurance recoveries of $199,000. The Company also experienced an increase in deferred revenue of $503,000. This was partially offset by a decline in accounts payable of $1,364,000 in 2019 as compared to 2018.

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

Net cash used in investing activities for 2020 of $758,000 was used primarily for additions to land, buildings, and equipment, including the costs of TIF eligible public infrastructure improvements. This was partially offset by a decrease in related party receivables when an affiliate of the controlling member of the Doran Canterbury I and II joint ventures repaid the $2,940,000 promissory note in full on August 3, 2020 and repaid the $268,000 of costs for preliminary grading work on parcels of land the Company had designated for Doran Canterbury II.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for 2019 of $13,037,000 was used primarily for additions to land, buildings, and equipment, including the costs of TIF eligible public infrastructure improvements, and the issuance of a note receivable to a related party. This was partially offset by a decrease in notes receivable.

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Net cash used by financing activities for 2020 was $374,000 and primarily consisted of $329,000 cash dividend paid to shareholders prior to the suspension of dividends by our Board of Directors on March 16, 2020. 

 

Net cash used by financing activities for 2019 was $978,000 and primarily consisted of $1,281,000 cash dividend paid to shareholders, partially offset by proceeds from issuance of common stock of $383,000.

 

31

 

CASH AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At December 31, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $4,472,000 compared to $3,927,000 at December 31, 2019. This $545,000 increase consisted of $1,677,000 of net cash provided by operating activities, offset by $758,000 of net cash used in investing activities and $374,000 of net cash used in financing activities.

 

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. See footnote 14 for additional information. The line of credit is collateralized by all receivables, inventory, equipment, and general intangibles of the Company. The Company had borrowings of $5,866,000 under the credit line during the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, 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 2020.

 

Our three largest sources of revenue: pari-mutuel wagering, Card 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 $576,000 and $640,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, the table games jackpot pool was $664,000 and $670,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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 $631,000 and $175,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

The Card Casino offers progressive jackpots for poker games. Amounts collected for these jackpot funds are accrued as liabilities until paid to winners. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, accrued jackpot funds totaled $186,000 and $134,000, 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 Card Casino are played using chips. The value of chips issued and outstanding, referred to as the “outstanding chip liability,” was $253,000 and $435,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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 $2,885,000 and $6,314,000 in purse funds related to thoroughbred races for 2020 and 2019, 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, 2020 or 2019.

 

 

32

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company currently has no off-balance sheet arrangements and has no intent to enter into any such agreements in the near future.

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

For a description of the nature and extent of related party transactions, see Note 13.

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into a seven-year agreement with a new totalizator provider, which was extended an additional year in 2020. 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, 2020 and 2019 were $176,000 and $233,000, respectively.

 

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”). 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.

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2020, there have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations as set forth above. As of December 31, 2020, we had no borrowings pursuant to our line of credit and were not party to finance lease obligations, significant purchase obligations or other long-term obligations, other than described above.

 

33

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

From time-to-time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, we may make forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, prospective business activities or plans that are typically preceded by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. For these forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal securities laws. Shareholders and the investing public should understand that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could affect our actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

 

any short-term or long-term effect that the COVID-19 Pandemic may have on us as an entertainment venue, including reluctance from customers to visit our Racetrack or Card Casino or social distancing measures that we may voluntarily take that would limit attendance at our facilities;

 

The fact that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our non-real estate development operations were closed from March 16, 2020 through June 9, 2020 and from November 21, 2020 through January 10, 2021, when we resumed these operations on a more limited basis in light of restrictions imposed by Minnesota regulatory bodies; 

 

competition from other venues offering unbanked card games or other forms of wagering;

  competition from other sports and entertainment options;

 

attracting a sufficient number of horses and trainers to achieve above average field sizes;
 

decline in interest in wagering on horse races at the Racetrack, at other tracks, or on unbanked card games offered at the Card Casino;

  material fluctuations in attendance at the Racetrack;
 

increases in the percentage of revenues allocated for purse fund payments;

 

higher-than-expected expenses related to new marketing initiatives;

 

the impact of wagering products and technologies introduced by competitors;

  inclement weather and other conditions that may affect our ability to conduct live racing;
  the fact that horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport and our racetrack is subject to personal injury litigation; 
 

any legal, judicial, legislative or regulatory action or event that would adversely affect our ten-year Cooperative Marketing Agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which enhances the purses for daily racing at Canterbury Park and supports cooperative marketing programs for the two organizations, benefiting the stability and quality of live horse racing;

 

our ability to obtain, on acceptable terms, an extension to the ten-year Cooperative Marketing Agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which expires in 2022;

  legislative and regulatory decisions and changes, including decision or actions related to sports betting that would adversely affect our betting environment;
 

the fact that 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, and the funding that Canterbury Park will be paid as reimbursement under the TIF program for these improvements is not guaranteed, but will depend in part on future tax revenues generated from the developed property;

 

the success of the Company’s Canterbury Commons real estate development, including our reliance upon our joint venture partners Doran Companies and Greystone Construction to construct, and profitably operate our development projects;

  greater-than-anticipated expenses or lower-than-anticipated return on the development of our underutilized land;
 

the fact the public infrastructure improvements that we are making pursuant to the Redevelopment Agreement with the City of Shakopee together with improvements we are making to our parking facilities may disrupt traffic flow in a manner that discourages customers from visiting our facilities, thereby affecting our revenue and profitability;

 

payments and amount of future dividends is subject to Board of Director discretion and to various risks and uncertainties;

  increases in compensation and employee benefit costs;
 

the general health of the gaming sector; and

 

other factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Pursuant to Item 3.05(e) of Regulation S-K, Canterbury Park Holding Company is not required to provide the information requested by this Item as it qualifies as a smaller reporting company.

 

34

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

(a)          Financial Statements

 

The following financial statements of the Company are set forth on pages 36 through 60 of the Form 10-K:

 

 

Page

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

36

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

38

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

39

   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

40

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

41

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

43

 

 

35

 

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, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, 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, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, 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

 

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter 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) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

 

Estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts – Property Tax Increment Financing “TIF” Receivable

 

As described in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded a TIF receivable of approximately $11,889,000, which represents $11,191,000 of principal and $698,000 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. 

 

36

 

We identified the estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts of the TIF receivable as a critical audit matter because auditing it involved a high degree of subjectivity in evaluating whether management’s estimates and assumptions used to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts was necessary.

 

The primary audit procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

 

 

We evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of key controls related to the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts analysis, including controls over the precision of management’s review and approval of the calculation and related estimate.

 

We evaluated the accuracy of the data used by management in determining the estimate, including the reasonable and supportable factors, by agreeing them to internal and external information available.

 

We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts on future development by comparing the following:

 

o

Historical results

 

o

Discussions with management related to the ongoing development projects.

 

o

Forecasted information from outside parties related to projected tax increments for the development projects.

 

/s/ Wipfli LLP

 

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

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

   March 24, 2021

 

37

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

ASSETS

               
                 

CURRENT ASSETS

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $     $ 355,399  

Restricted cash

    4,471,712       2,308,955  

Short-term investments

          103,886  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $19,250 for both periods

    231,255       302,037  

Inventory

    218,791       390,118  

Prepaid expenses

    498,642       501,493  

Income taxes receivable

    4,031,621        

Total current assets

    9,452,021       3,961,888  
                 

LONG-TERM ASSETS

               

Deposits

    49,500       49,500  

Restricted cash - long-term portion

          1,262,744  

TIF receivable

    11,888,570       9,708,856  

Related party receivable (Note 13)

    1,541,910       3,528,927  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    45,057       74,832  

Equity investment (Note 12)

    7,515,108       2,992,633  

Land held for development

    4,805,417       9,191,107  

Land, buildings and equipment, net (Note 3)

    33,507,204       34,642,595  

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 68,804,787     $ 65,413,082  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               
                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

               

Accounts payable

    2,953,586       3,495,238  

Card Casino accruals

    2,327,994       2,167,056  

Accrued wages and payroll taxes

    1,150,102       2,254,379  

Cash dividend payable

          324,439  

Accrued property taxes

    804,817       1,019,658  

Deferred revenue

    435,866       1,482,130  

Payable to horsepersons

    2,374,696       557,696  

Income taxes payable

          120,960  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

    25,749       24,500  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

    22,271       29,776  

Total current liabilities

    10,095,081       11,475,832  
                 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

               

Deferred income taxes (Note 4)

    7,347,700       4,404,300  

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

    46,035       71,784  

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

    22,786       45,056  

Total long-term liabilities

    7,416,521       4,521,140  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    17,511,602       15,996,972  
                 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 5)

               

Common stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,748,012 and 4,644,522, respectively, shares issued and outstanding

    47,480       46,445  

Additional paid-in capital

    23,631,618       22,733,933  

Retained earnings

    27,614,087       26,635,732  

Total stockholders’ equity

    51,293,185       49,416,110  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 68,804,787     $ 65,413,082  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

38

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

               

Pari-mutuel

  $ 7,979,336     $ 9,832,945  

Card Casino

    19,885,862       34,406,195  

Food and beverage

    2,372,716       8,894,985  

Other

    2,902,358       6,092,732  

Total Net Revenues

    33,140,272       59,226,857  
                 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

               

Purse expense

    4,946,799       6,979,508  

Minnesota Breeders’ Fund

    742,052       1,052,682  

Other pari-mutuel expenses

    692,060       1,332,321  

Salaries and benefits

    15,926,727       25,527,560  

Cost of food and beverage and other sales

    1,230,633       4,075,313  

Depreciation

    2,748,514       2,679,728  

Utilities

    1,212,004       1,531,029  

Advertising and marketing

    377,412       2,152,260  

Professional and contracted services

    3,340,116       4,983,587  

Loss on disposal of assets

    13,407       261,728  

Gain on insurance recoveries

          (198,874 )

Gain on sale of assets

          (12,141 )

Other operating expenses

    3,652,265       5,226,392  

Total Operating Expenses

    34,881,989       55,591,093  

Gain on transfer of land (Note 12)

    2,367,514        

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

    625,797       3,635,764  

OTHER INCOME (LOSS)

               

Loss from equity investment

    (1,478,199 )     (2,377 )

Interest income, net

    663,571       329,150  

Net Other (Loss) Income

    (814,628 )     326,773  

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    (188,831 )     3,962,537  

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) (Note 4)

    1,250,845       (1,244,263 )

NET INCOME

  $ 1,062,014     $ 2,718,274  
                 
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.23     $ 0.59  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.23     $ 0.59  
Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding     4,697,021       4,594,118  
Weighted Average Diluted Shares     4,697,791       4,607,809  

Cash dividends declared per share

          0.28  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

39

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

   

Number of

   

Common

   

Additional

   

Retained

         
   

Shares

   

Stock

   

Paid-in Capital

   

Earnings

   

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

    4,527,685     $ 45,277     $ 21,420,886     $ 25,268,187     $ 46,734,350  
                                         

Exercise of stock options

    41,310       413       272,869             273,282  
Other share retirements     (5,863 )     (59 )     (27,915 )     (62,048 )     (90,022 )

Stock-based compensation

                235,105             235,105  

Dividend distribution

                      (1,288,681 )     (1,288,681 )

401(K) stock match

    52,089       521       687,979             688,500  

Issuance of deferred stock awards

    10,968       110       (55,044 )           (54,934 )

Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    18,333       183       200,053             200,236  

Net income

                      2,718,274       2,718,274  
                                         

Balance at December 31, 2019

    4,644,522     $ 46,445     $ 22,733,933     $ 26,635,732     $ 49,416,110  
                                         

Exercise of stock options

    24,250       242       200,548             200,790  

Other share retirements

    (9,920 )     (99 )     (44,587 )     (79,512 )     (124,198 )

Stock-based compensation

                468,832             468,832  

Dividend distribution

                      (4,147 )     (4,147 )

401(K) stock match

    34,625       346       371,086             371,432  

Issuance of deferred stock awards

    45,865       459       (177,960 )           (177,501 )

Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    8,670       87       79,766             79,853  

Net income

                      1,062,014       1,062,014  
                                         

Balance at December 31, 2020

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

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

40

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Operating Activities:

               

Net income

  $ 1,062,014     $ 2,718,274  

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

               

Depreciation

    2,748,514       2,679,728  

Stock-based compensation expense

    468,832       235,105  

Stock-based employee match contribution

    371,432       688,500  

Deferred income taxes

    2,943,400       434,300  

Loss on disposal of assets

    13,407       261,728  

Loss from equity investment

    1,478,199       2,377  

Gain on insurance recoveries

          (198,874 )

Gain on sale of assets

          (12,141 )

Gain on transfer of land

    (2,367,514 )      

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

    70,782       (60,294 )

Decrease in other current assets

    174,178       30,623  

(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable/payable

    (4,152,581 )     537,963  

Decrease in operating lease right-of-use assets

    29,775       28,914  

Decrease in operating lease liabilities

    (29,775 )     (28,914 )

Decrease in accounts payable

    (886,060 )     (1,364,430 )

(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue

    (1,046,264 )     502,772  

Increase in Card Casino accruals

    160,938       426,130  

Decrease in accrued wages and payroll taxes

    (1,104,277 )     (13,972 )

(Decrease) increase in accrued property taxes

    (75,292 )     18,458  

Increase (decrease) in payable to horsepersons

    1,817,000       (148,426 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,676,708       6,737,821  
                 

Investing Activities:

               

Additions to land, buildings, and equipment

    (1,536,948 )     (7,364,925 )
Additions for TIF eligible improvements     (1,311,907 )     (7,800,791 )

Decrease (increase) in related party receivable

    1,987,017       (320,527 )

Decrease in notes receivable

          2,142,511  

Proceeds from insurance recoveries

          204,174  

Sale of investments

    103,886       102,659  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (757,952 )     (13,036,899 )
                 

Financing Activities

               

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    156,446       383,496  

Borrowings on line of credit

    5,866,416       5,932,532  

Payments against line of credit

    (5,866,416 )     (5,932,532 )

Cash dividend paid to shareholders

    (328,587 )     (1,281,180 )

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

    (177,501 )     (54,934 )

Principal payments on finance lease

    (24,500 )     (25,204 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (374,142 )     (977,822 )
                 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

    544,614       (7,276,900 )
                 

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

    3,927,098       11,203,998  
                 

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

  $ 4,471,712     $ 3,927,098  

 

41

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2020 and 2019 (continued)

 

Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

               

Additions to buildings and equipment funded through accounts payable

  $ 344,000     $ 1,272,000  

Transfer of future TIF reimbursed costs from PP&E

    2,180,000       7,801,000  

Dividend declared

          324,000  

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations

          104,000  

Transfer of assets to Doran Canterbury II

    1,633,299        

Transfer of assets to Canterbury DBSV

    2,195,260        
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

               

Income taxes paid

  $ 80,000     $ 740,000  

Interest paid

    40,000       42,000  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

42

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED December 31, 2020 and 2019


 

 

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 Card 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 Card Casino currently offers a variety of poker and table games. The Company’s three largest sources of revenues include: Card 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.

 

In January 2020, an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus was identified. The disease has since spread rapidly across the world, causing the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”) on March 12, 2020. Since that time, governments and businesses have taken measures to limit the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the issuance of shelter-in-place orders, social distancing measures, travel bans and restrictions and business shutdowns.

 

On March 16, 2020, the Company announced that, based on the advice of Minnesota state and regulatory bodies, it was temporarily suspending all card casino, simulcast, and special events operations at Canterbury Park in response to concerns about the COVID-19 Pandemic. Canterbury Park determined this voluntary suspension of activities was in the best interest of the health and safety of its guests and team members and would provide the Company an opportunity to review and update operational best practices and strategies based on what was currently known about this public health situation and future developments. On June 10, 2020, the Company reopened and resumed simulcast, live racing, and food and beverage operations. The Company also resumed table games and poker operations in the Company’s Card Casino on June 15, 2020 and July 9, 2020, respectively. These reopenings were done in compliance with Minnesota state guidelines on capacity limitations.

 

On November 18, 2020, Minnesota state and regulatory bodies issued an executive order requiring closure of places of public accommodation as a measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the Company temporarily suspended all card casino, simulcast, and food and beverage operations from November 21, 2020 through January 10, 2021.

 

43

 

Despite a strong start to the year, the disruptions arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic had a significant impact on the Company's financial condition and operations during the year ended December 31, 2020. The duration and intensity of this global health emergency and related disruptions is uncertain. Given the dynamic nature of these circumstances, the impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition in 2020 has been material, and the Company expects it will continue to be material. The Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time when the COVID-19 Pandemic will end, or when or how quickly the current travel restrictions and capacity restrictions will be modified or cease to be necessary. As a result, it is difficult to predict the continuing and future impact on the Company’s business and the willingness of customers to spend on entertainment in venues such as ours.

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has no long-term debt and a $6.0 million line of credit, which was increased to $10.0 million effective February 28, 2021. The Company anticipates that its existing cash balance, any cash generated from operations and availability under its credit line will provide the Company with the necessary liquidity and financial flexibility to manage through this challenging operating environment. We have taken significant actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our operations, including initiating workforce reductions and furloughs, suspending the Company’s quarterly cash dividend, postponing non-essential capital expenditures, reducing operating costs, and substantially reducing discretionary spending. We expect these countermeasures to partially mitigate the impact of COVID-19. As the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the economy and our operations evolves, we will continue to assess the impact on the Company.

 

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company (Canterbury Park Holding Corporation) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries Canterbury Park Entertainment, LLC, Canterbury Park Concessions, Inc., and Canterbury Development, LLC, 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 - Prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations. Certain land costs have been reclassified on the December 31, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheets from Property, plant, and equipment, net to Land held for development. 

 

 

2.    ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition – The Company’s primary revenues with customers consist of Card 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 Card 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.

 

44

 

Contracts for Card 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 Card Casino contracts with customers: (1) our MVP Loyalty Program and (2) outstanding chip liability. These are included in the line item Card Casino accruals on the consolidated balance sheet. 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, export revenue, and import revenue 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 race track, 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.

 

45

 

Short-term Investments – Securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity, and are measured at amortized cost. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, all investments were classified as held-to-maturity. The Company continually reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value and the amount of the write-down is included in earnings. The Company did not have any short-term investments at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2019, short-term investments consisted of certificates of deposit. Amortized cost approximated fair value at December 31, 2019. 

 

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”) between the City of Shakopee Economic Development Authority and Canterbury Development LLC signed in August 2018, 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 are 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 Card 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 $2,885,000 and $6,314,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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.

 

Checks Written in Excess of Cash Balance - For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company included approximately $970,000 of checks written in excess of cash balance within accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were no checks written in excess of cash balance as of December 31, 2019.

 

46

 

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 2020 and 2019, 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.

 

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. 

 

Card Casino Accruals – Minnesota law allows the Company to collect amounts from patrons to fund progressive jackpot pools in the Card 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, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not recognize any expense related to interest and penalties.

 

 

47

 

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.

 

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, 2020 and 2019:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Land

  $ 2,680,158     $ 2,507,298  

Buildings and building improvements

    41,081,689       38,858,798  

Furniture and equipment

    23,515,215       22,821,447  

Construction in progress

    1,677,547       3,174,664  
      68,954,609       67,362,207  

Accumulated depreciation

    (35,447,405 )     (32,719,612 )
    $ 33,507,204     $ 34,642,595  

 

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 $4,805,000 and $9,191,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

48

 

 

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, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Federal tax (benefit) expense at statutory rates

  $ (40,000 )   $ 928,000  

Nondeductible lobbying expense

    13,000       15,100  

State expense, net of federal impact

    3,000       316,000  

Stock option expense

          (14,200 )
Long term incentive and restricted stock unit expense     (14,000 )      

Federal rate difference on NOL carrybacks

    (1,213,000 )      

Other

    155       (637 )
    $ (1,250,845 )   $ 1,244,263  

 

Income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consists of the following:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Current

               

Federal

  $ (4,110,000 )   $ 449,000  

State

    (84,000 )     361,000  
      (4,194,000 )     810,000  

Deferred, Federal

    2,860,155       479,263  

Deferred, State

    83,000       (45,000 )
    $ (1,250,845 )   $ 1,244,263  

 

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, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities)

               

Vacation accrual

  $ 55,700     $ 72,800  

Player rewards program accrual

    166,900       143,200  

Stock options

    86,200       75,100  

Long-Term Incentive Plan

    32,500       114,300  

Land, building and equipment - cost and depreciation

    (4,381,600 )     (4,062,800 )

Investment in joint ventures

    (3,387,200 )     (729,000 )

Prepaid Expenses

    (144,900 )     (7,700 )

TIF receivable accrued interest

    (200,700 )     (43,600 )

Lease obligations

    20,600       27,900  
Charitable contribution carryovers     15,300        
State net operating loss     374,000        

Other

    15,500       5,500  

Net long-term deferred tax liabilities

  $ (7,347,700 )   $ (4,404,300 )

 

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 2017.

 

49

 

 

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 on the last trading day of each six-month period. Employees purchased 8,670 and 18,333 shares in 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 333,174 shares have been issued from the 350,000 shares originally 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, 2020 and 2019 totaled approximately $371,000 and $688,000, 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 2020 or 2019, and currently the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 128,871 shares under 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 $469,000 and $235,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Stock Options:

 

The Company’s 1994 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 263,810 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.

 

50

 

Stock option activity related to the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is summarized below:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 
                                 
           

Weighted

           

Weighted

 
           

Average

           

Average

 
   

Number of

   

Exercise

   

Number of

   

Exercise

 
   

Options

   

Price

   

Shares

   

Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

    33,250     $ 9.64       75,062     $ 7.95  

Granted

                       

Exercised

    (24,250 )     8.28       (41,310 )     6.62  

Expired/Forfeited

                (502 )     6.00  
                                 

Outstanding at end of year

    9,000     $ 13.30       33,250     $ 9.64  
                                 

Options exercisable at end of year

    9,000     $ 13.30       33,250     $ 9.64  

 

The grant-date fair value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $56,000 and $148,000, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term of these options is 0.1 years.

 

There were no options granted in 2020 or 2019. The total fair value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $92,000 and $75,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2020 and 2019 was $104,000 and $313,000, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes information concerning all options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2020:

 

       

Options Outstanding

   

Options Exercisable

 
               

Weighted

   

Weighted

                   

Weighted

         
               

Average

   

Average

   

Aggregate

           

Average

   

Aggregate

 

Range of

   

Number

   

Life (Years)

   

Exercise

   

Intrinsic

   

Number

   

Exercise

   

Intrinsic

 

Exercise Price

   

Outstanding

   

Remaining

   

Price

   

Value

   

Exercisable

   

Price

   

Value

 
$ 11.01 - 14.00       9,000       0.1     $ 13.30             9,000     $ 13.30        

Total

      9,000       0.1     $ 13.30     $       9,000     $ 13.30     $  

 

Long Term Incentive Plan and Award of Deferred Stock

 

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 uses three years as the Performance Period. The LTI is a sub-plan of the Company’s Stock Plan which authorizes the grant of Deferred Stock awards that represent the right to receive Company common stock if conditions specified in the awards are satisfied.

 

The Board has approved granting opportunities in 2018 and 2019 to Company officers and key employees to earn long-term incentive compensation under the LTI Plan. Each officer and key employee was granted an Incentive Award (that was also a Deferred Stock Award under the Stock Plan) 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 expects to pay out 6,241 shares of deferred stock in the 2021 first quarter, related to the Performance Period ended December 31, 2020. The number of shares to be paid out for the Performance Period ending December 31, 2021 will be determined based on actual achievement compared to Performance Goals.

 

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As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Company temporarily suspended the granting of performance awards under its LTI Plan until there is more certainty about the Company’s future operations, and instead granted other awards designed to retain NEOs and other Senior Executives as described below under “Employee Deferred Stock Awards.”

 

The Company recorded a Compensation benefit of $32,000 and Compensation expense of $100,000 related to the LTI plan for 2020 and 2019, 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.

 

Below is a summary of changes in Board of Directors unvested deferred stock:

 

           

Weighted

 
           

Average

 
   

Deferred

   

Fair Value

 
   

Stock

   

Per Share

 

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2019

    12,604     $ 12.69  

Granted

    20,073       11.17  

Vested

    (12,604 )     12.69  

Forfeited

           

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2020

    20,073     $ 11.17  

 

Employee Deferred Stock Awards 

 

On June 25, 2020, 47,000 shares of deferred stock awards were granted to employees pursuant to the Company’s Stock Plan with a price per share equal to the market price on the date of grant of $11.07. The vesting schedule of the awards is as follows: (i) 60% vesting and being issued in December 2020, (ii) 20% vesting and being issued in March 2022, and (iii) 20% vesting and being issued in March 2023. The Company’s Board of Directors designated those portions of the deferred stock awards vesting in 2020 as awards under the Company’s 2020 annual incentive plan and designed those portions of the awards scheduled to vest in 2022 and 2023 as 2020 awards under the Company’s LTI Plan. The compensation cost associated with this grant 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, 2020, is as follows:

 

           

Weighted

 
           

Average

 
   

Deferred

   

Fair Value

 
   

Stock

   

Per Share

 

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2019

        $  

Granted

    47,000       11.07  

Vested

    (26,400 )     12.43  

Forfeited

    (1,800 )     12.43  

Non-Vested Balance, December 31, 2020

    18,800     $ 11.07  

 

At December 31, 2020, there was approximately $297,000 of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested employee and board of director deferred stock awards the Company expects to recognize through 2023. 

 

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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, 2020 and 2019.

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

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

  $ 1,062,014     $ 2,718,274  
                 

Weighted average shares (denominator) of common stock outstanding:

               

Basic

    4,697,021       4,594,118  

Plus dilutive effect of stock options

    770       13,691  

Diluted

    4,697,791       4,607,809  
                 

Net income per common share:

               
Basic   $ 0.23     $ 0.59  
Diluted     0.23       0.59  

 

Options to purchase 9,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $13.30 per share were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 because the exercise price of the options exceeded the market price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

 

7.    GENERAL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

The Company has a general credit and security agreement with a financial institution, which provides a revolving credit line of up to $6,000,000 and allows for a letter of credit in the aggregate amount of up to $2,000,000 to be issued under the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2020, the financial institution had issued a $1,250,000 letter of credit on the Company's behalf, and therefore, the Company had an available credit line up to $4,750,000. This agreement was amended as of December 23, 2020 to extend the maturity date to February 28, 2021. This agreement was amended on February 28, 2021 to extend the maturity date to January 31, 2024. See footnote 14 for additional information. The line of credit is collateralized by all receivables, inventory, equipment, and general intangibles of the Company. The Company had borrowings of $5,866,000 under the credit line during the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, 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 as of December 31, 2020.

 

 

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.

 

53

 

Lease costs related to operating leases were $31,333 and $33,519 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 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 $360,902 and $558,233 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

Lease costs included in depreciation and amortization related to our finance leases were $23,795 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. 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

 

2020

   

2019

 

Assets

                 

Finance

Land, buildings and equipment, net (1)

  $ 71,784     $ 96,284  

Operating

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    45,057       74,832  

Total Leased Assets

  $ 116,841     $ 171,116  

 


1 – Finance lease assets are net of accumulated amortization of $53,853 and $23,795 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

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

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):

               

Finance

    2.7       3.7  

Operating

    0.8       1.3  

Weighted average discount rate (%):

               

Finance

    5.0 %     5.0 %

Operating

    5.5 %     5.5 %

 

The maturity of operating leases and finance leases for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

Operating leases

   

Finance leases

 

2021

    23,100       28,743  

2022

    23,100       28,743  

2023

          19,332  

Total minimum lease obligations

    46,200       76,817  

Less: amounts representing interest

    (1,143 )     (5,033 )

Present value of minimum lease payments

    45,057       71,784  

Less: current portion

    (22,271 )     (25,749 )

Lease obligations, net of current portion

  $ 22,786     $ 46,035  

 

Purchase Obligations

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into a seven-year agreement with a new 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, 2020 and 2019 were $181,000 and $233,000, respectively.

 

Future minimum purchase obligations are $235,000 for 2021. 

 

54

 

 

9.    CONTINGENCIES

 

Canterbury Park Holding Corporation was incorporated on March 24, 1994. On March 29, 1994, the Company acquired all the outstanding securities of Jacobs Realty, Inc. (“JRI”) from Irwin Jacobs and IMR Fund, L.P. (an investment fund for various pension plans and trusts). JRI was merged into the Company, and the acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting whereby the acquired assets and liabilities have been recorded at the Company’s cost. The primary asset of JRI was Canterbury Downs Racetrack and the 325 acres of surrounding land.

 

On May 20, 1994, the Company adopted a plan of Reorganization pursuant to which the sole shareholder of Canterbury Park Concessions, Inc. (“CPC”), and majority shareholder of the Company, agreed to exchange his shares of CPC stock for 198,888 shares of the Company’s common stock concurrent with the closing of a public offering. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, CPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in August 1994 when the Company completed the initial public offering of its common stock. This reorganization was treated in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. Net proceeds received by the Company from the public offering were approximately $4,847,000, which along with additional borrowings under the Company’s line of credit with the majority shareholder, were used to pay off the remaining notes payable from the acquisition of JRI.

 

In connection with the purchase of the Racetrack, the Company entered into an Earn Out Promissory Note dated March 29, 1994. In accordance with the Earn Out Note, if (i) off-track betting becomes legally permissible in the State of Minnesota and (ii) the Company begins to conduct off-track betting with respect to or in connection with its operations, the Company will be required to pay to the IMR Fund, L.P. the greater of $700,000 per operating year, as defined, or 20% of the net pretax profit, as defined for each of five operating years. At this time, management believes that the likelihood that these two conditions will be met and that the Company will be required to pay these amounts is remote. At the date (if any) that these two conditions are met, the five minimum payments will be discounted back to their present value and the sum of those discounted payments will be capitalized as part of the purchase price in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The purchase price will be further increased if payments become due under the “20% of Net Pretax Profit” calculation. The first payment is to be made 90 days after the end of the third operating year in which off-track betting is conducted by the Company. Remaining payments would be made within 90 days of the end of each of the next four operating years.

 

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 contains certain covenants which, if breached, would trigger an obligation to repay a specified amount related to such covenant. At this time, management believes that the likelihood that the breach of a covenant will occur and that the Company will be required to pay the specified amount related to such covenant is remote.

 

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, 2020 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 2020 or 2019, and there is no liability related to this bond on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

 

55

 

 

10.  OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Company has four reportable operating segments: horse racing, Card Casino, food and beverage, and development. The horse racing segment primarily represents simulcast and live horse racing operations. The Card Casino segment represents operations of Canterbury Park’s Card Casino, the food and beverage segment represents food and beverage operations provided during simulcast and live racing, in the Card 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 Card 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. In 2020, the food and beverage segment did not pay 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, 2020

 
   

Horse Racing

   

Card Casino

   

Food and Beverage

   

Development

   

Total

 

Net revenues from external customers

  $ 10,722     $ 19,886     $ 2,489     $ 43     $ 33,140  

Intersegment revenues

    74             430             504  

Net interest (expense) income

    (37 )                 701       664  

Depreciation

    2,309       226       214             2,749  

Segment (loss) income before income taxes

    (1,610 )     953       (709 )     1,319       (47 )

Segment tax benefit

    (253 )     (108 )     (3 )     (887 )     (1,251 )

 

   

At December 31, 2020

 

Segment Assets

  $ 35,620     $ 3,027     $ 24,862     $ 29,475     $ 92,984  

 

   

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 
   

Horse Racing

   

Card Casino

   

Food and Beverage

   

Development

   

Total

 

Net revenues from external customers

  $ 15,370     $ 34,406     $ 9,430     $ 21     $ 59,227  

Intersegment revenues

    999             1,425             2,424  

Net interest (expense) income

    (38 )                 365       327  

Depreciation

    2,262       186       232             2,680  

Segment (loss) income before income taxes

    (2,695 )     6,400       715       65       4,485  

Segment tax (benefit) expense

    (1,011 )     2,009       225       21       1,244  

 

   

At December 31, 2019

 

Segment Assets

  $ 31,618     $ 3,327     $ 25,430     $ 29,074     $ 89,449  

 

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, 2020 and 2019 (in 000’s):

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Revenues

               

Total net revenue for reportable segments

  $ 33,644     $ 61,651  

Elimination of intersegment revenues

    (504 )     (2,424 )

Total consolidated net revenues

  $ 33,140     $ 59,227  

 

56

(Loss) income before income taxes

               

Total segment (loss) income before income taxes

  $ (47 )   $ 4,485  

Elimination of intersegment loss before income taxes

    (142 )     (522 )

Total consolidated (loss) income before income taxes

  $ (189 )   $ 3,963  

 

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Assets

               

Total assets for reportable segments

  $ 92,984     $ 89,449  

Elimination of intercompany balances

    (24,179 )     (24,036 )

Total consolidated assets

  $ 68,805     $ 65,413  

 

 

11.  COOPERATIVE MARKETING AGREEMENT

 

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into the CMA with the SMSC. The primary purpose of the CMA is 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 is achieved through “Purse Enhancement Payments to Horsemen” paid directly to the MHBPA. Such payments have 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. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC agreed to provide up to $5,620,000 for the annual purse enhancement for the year 2020. The annual purse enhancement that the SMSC is obligated to pay under the CMA for 2021 and 2022 was not changed and remains at $7,380,000 per year.

 

Under the terms of the CMA, as amended, the SMSC made payments of $5.6 million and $7.4 million during 2020 and 2019, respectively, primarily for purse enhancements for the respective live race meets.

 

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. Under the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC was not required to pay the Company a 2020 annual marketing payment, but the Company used previously paid but unspent funds for these purposes.

 

57

 

As noted above and affirmed in the Fifth Amendment, the SMSC is obligated to make the following purse enhancement and marketing payments for 2021 and 2022: 

 

   

Purse Enhancement Payments to

   

Marketing Payments to

 

Year

 

Horsemen (1)

   

Canterbury Park

 

2021

  $ 7,380,000     $ 1,620,000  

2022

    7,380,000       1,620,000  

 


(1) - Includes $100,000 each year payable to various horsemen associations

 

The amounts earned from the marketing payments 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 condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $900,000 in other revenue and incurred $740,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $160,000 in depreciation related to the SMSC marketing payment. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $1,114,000 in other revenue and incurred $888,000 in advertising and marketing expense and $226,000 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.

 

 

12.  REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

 

Equity Investment

 

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.

 

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 300 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.

 

58

 

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.

 

In accordance with ASC 610-20, we determined that we do not have a controlling financial interest in the Doran Canterbury II and Canterbury DBSV joint ventures and the arrangements meet the criteria to be accounted for as a contract. Therefore, we derecognized the land and recognized a full gain (approximately $2,368,000) between the carrying amount of the land and the estimated fair value of the land transferred. In future periods, the Company will recognize its proportionate share of Doran Canterbury II and Canterbury DBSV’s earnings (after the effect of basis differences) as an increase or decrease in its Equity investment and as Income or Loss from Investment in these joint ventures.

 

Tax Increment Financing

 

On August 8, 2018, the City Council of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota approved a Contract for Private Redevelopment (“Redevelopment 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 Redevelopment Agreement, the Company has agreed to undertake a number of specific public infrastructure improvements within the TIF District, including the development of public streets, utilities, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure. More specifically, the Company is obligated to construct improvements on Shenandoah Drive and Unbridled Avenue (formerly Barenscheer Boulevard) with these improvements required to be substantially complete on or before December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, improvements to Shenandoah Drive were substantially complete. 

 

Under the Redevelopment Agreement, 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 its expense in constructing public infrastructure improvements. The total estimated cost of TIF eligible improvements to be borne by the Company is $23,336,500. A detailed Schedule of the Public Improvements under the Redevelopment Agreement, the timeline for their construction and the source and amount of funding is set forth on Exhibit C of the Redevelopment Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. The total amount of funding that Canterbury will be paid as reimbursement under the TIF program for these improvements is not guaranteed, however, and will depend on future tax revenues generated from the developed property. As of December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a TIF receivable of  approximately $11,889,000, which represents $11,191,000 of principal and $698,000 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, 2019, the Company recorded a TIF receivable of approximately $9,709,000, which represented $9,557,000 of principal and $152,000 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.

 

The City of Shakopee has authorized changes to the Redevelopment Agreement and the responsibilities of the Company, but the Company, the City of Shakopee and other parties have not formally entered into an agreement that memorializes these changes. The Company will provide updated disclosure when the parties enter into a new agreement. As part of the authorized changes regarding the responsibilities of the Company and the city of Shakopee, improvements on Unbridled Avenue will be primarily constructed by the City of Shakopee. As a result, should Canterbury enter into the agreement that memorializes these changes, the total estimated cost of TIF eligible improvements to be borne by the Company will be reduced by $7,670,000. These improvements were substantially complete as of the date of this filing. 

 

 

59

 

Development Agreements 

 

On April 7, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately 11.3 acres of land on the west side of the Racetrack to a third party for total consideration of approximately $2,400,000. Closing is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions. The Company expects phase one of the transaction to close in 2021 and phase two to close in 2022.

 

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. Closing is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions. The Company expects the transaction to close in 2021.

 

 

13.  RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLES

 

On December 20, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Doran Family Holdings, which is the controlling partner in the Doran Canterbury I joint venture. The Company loaned Doran Family Holdings $2,910,000 net of loan origination fees, and received a promissory note totaling $2,940,000 bearing interest at 5%. On August 3, 2020, the Company received payment for this promissory note of $2,940,000.

 

In 2018, the Company incurred $268,000 of costs for preliminary grading work on parcels of land the Company had designated for Doran Canterbury II. The Company was to be fully reimbursed for these costs upon the commencement of the Doran Canterbury II project and thus, recorded the amount as a receivable. On August 3, 2020, the Company received payment for this receivable of $268,000.

 

In 2019 and 2020, the Company loaned money to the Doran Canterbury I joint venture in eight separate loans totaling approximately $1,277,000. These member loans bear interest at the rate equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent per annum. As of December 31, 2020, accrued interest totaled approximately $41,000. The Company expects to be fully reimbursed for these member loans when the joint venture achieves positive cash flow.

 

In 2020, the Company recorded a related party receivable of approximately $22,000 for various development related costs incurred by the Company on parcels of land the Company had designated for Canterbury DBSV. The Company expects to be fully reimbursed for these costs by Canterbury DBSV in 2021. 

 

In 2020, the Company recorded a related party receivable of approximately $169,000 for landscaping and irrigation costs incurred by the Company on parcels of land the Company had designated for Doran Canterbury II. The Company received payment for this receivable in January 2021. The Company also recorded a related party receivable of approximately $20,000 for various development related costs incurred by the Company on behalf of Doran Canterbury I and II. The Company expects to be fully reimbursed for these costs in 2021. 

 

 

14.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On February 28, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to its existing credit agreement with a financial institution. The amendment extended the maturity date of the agreement to January 31, 2024 and increased its revolving credit line up to $10,000,000. The amendment also includes additional collateral on the line of credit in the form of a Mortgage, Security Agreement, Fixture Financing Statement and Assignment of Leases and Rents.

 

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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; (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, 2020. 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, 2020.

 

(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, 2020, that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Information Incorporated by Reference.

 

Information required under Items 401 (except as noted below), 405, 406, and 407 (c) (3), (d) (4), and (d) (5) of Regulation S-K to the extent applicable to the Company will be set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 3, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”), a definitive copy of which will be filed with the Commission within 120 days of the close of the 2020 fiscal year, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Information required under Item 402 of Regulation S-K regarding executive officers is presented under Item 1(c)(x) herein.

 

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 Item 402 of Regulation S-K to the extent applicable to the Company will be set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

Information required under Items 201(d) and 403 of Regulation S-K to the extent applicable to the Company will be set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

Information, if any, required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K to the extent applicable to the Company will be set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required by Item 14 of this Form 10-K and Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A will be set forth in a section entitled “The Company’s Auditors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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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 36-60:

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial statements

 

(b).        Exhibits

 

Exhibit Table
Reference

 

Title of Document

     

3   Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws:

 

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

     

4.1

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

     

10   Material contracts and management compensation plans and arrangements:

 

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*

 

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

 


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

 

63

 

Exhibit Table
Reference

 

Title of Document

     

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. 

     

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.
     

10.5

 

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 dated August 14, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     

10.6

 

Cooperative Marketing Agreement dated as of June 4, 2012 between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 10-Q dated August 14, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. 

     
10.7   Fifth Amendment made as of June 1, 2020 between Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated June 1, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     

10.8

 

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. 

     

10.9

 

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. 

     
10.10   Canterbury Park Holding Corporation 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-150037, filed April 2, 2008.
     
64

 

Filed herewith, in addition to items, if any, specifically identified above:

 

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant 

     

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 24, 2021 announcing 2020 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results 

 

65

 

101

 

The following financial information from Canterbury Park Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language XBRL; (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and (v) Notes to Financial Statements.

     

               ***Pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, certain information has been deleted from this exhibit, as filed, and separately filed with the SEC subject to a confidential treatment request on the basis that disclosure of this information would cause the Company competitive harm is not necessary for the protection of investors.

 

(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.

 

66

 

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 24, 2021

 

CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION

     
 

By

/s/ Randall D. Sampson

   

Randall D. Sampson

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

67

 

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 Executive Chairman of the Board

 

March 24, 2021

Randall D. Sampson

 

 

   
         

/s/ Carin J. Offerman

 

Director

  March 24, 2021

Carin J. Offerman

       
         

/s/ Dale H. Schenian

 

Vice Chairman Emeritus; Director

  March 24, 2021

Dale H. Schenian

       
         

/s/ Mark Chronister

 

Director

  March 24, 2021

Mark Chronister

       
         

/s/ Maureen H. Bausch

 

Director

  March 24, 2021

Maureen H. Bausch

       
         

/s/ John S. Himle

 

Director

  March 24, 2021

John S. Himle

       
         

/s/ Randy J. Dehmer

 

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

  March 24, 2021

Randy J. Dehmer 

       

 

 

68