Canterbury Park announced that Jesse Sherwood has been named head starter for the 2026 race meet that begins May 23. Sherwood’s career working on the starting gate began in 2008 at Canterbury where he spent four seasons as an assistant starter. He has been head starter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans the past two seasons. Sherwood also worked at racetracks in New Mexico becoming head starter at Energy Downs in Wyoming and at the Montana State Fair meet in Great Falls.
“Returning to Canterbury Park will feel like somewhat of a homecoming,” Sherwood said. “I know there will be many new faces but I am sure to find some familiar ones as well.”
The starter and his team of assistants are responsible for ensuring a fair start for each race as well as a safe and orderly process of loading horses into the starting gate.
“I try hard and I care and take pride in having a team of assistants that do the same,” he said. “Good starts on race day come from the hard work and patience during morning schooling."
Sherwood, a native of Selah, Washington, grew up on the racetrack. He is a third-generation horseman. His mother was a trainer, and his father, a former jockey, was the superintendent of the jockey's room at Washington racetracks for 40 years.
“We are pleased to have found someone with Jesse’s experience to fill the very important role of head starter,” Canterbury Park general manager John Groen said. “We are proud of the consistency and safety record of our starting gate team and feel that Jesse will uphold those high standards.”
Sherwood replaces Oscar Quiroz who took a similar position at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
