The 18th running of the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day of racing exclusively for horses bred in the state, will be held Sunday at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

The first of 10 races, eight for thoroughbreds and two for American quarter horses, begins at 1:30 pm.

The Minnesota Festival of Champions began in 1992. Local horsemen and owners were determined to show the current ownership that racing in Minnesota was viable. Although the event was successful, the track closed at the end of the year and racing did not return until 1995 under the direction of track President Randy Sampson.

“Bringing racing back to Minnesota was our main goal in 1995, but so was establishing the Minnesota Festival of Champions. This is an annual celebration and acknowledgment of the importance of the breeding industry in this state,” Sampson said. “It is a huge day for fans of racing at Canterbury Park.”

Labor Day Monday racing also begins at 1:30 p.m. In addition to eight thoroughbred races, activities include free hot dogs, a wiener dog race on the main track, and a hot dog-eating contest. General admission is $5. Parking is free.