Barry Butzow, a prominent Twin Cities racehorse owner and businessman, is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a bartender who worked a private party at his Eden Prairie home earlier this year.

The charge of third-degree sexual assault was filed in Hennepin County District Court, along with a warrant for his arrest. He has no prior criminal history in Minnesota.

Butzow, 78, was reached by phone Wednesday and said he had no comment on the allegations and was unaware of the charges. Butzow was a senior vice president with C.H. Robinson Worldwide and has been a fixture in the horse racing community at Canterbury Park for years. He and his wife, Joni, reached the pinnacle of the sport in 2022 when their horse, Zozos, ran in the Kentucky Derby.

Butzow’s attorney, Chris Madel, declined to comment.

According to the charges:

On May 18, a woman was hired to work as a private bartender for a cocktail party at Butzow’s home. The two knew each other well from a Shakopee bar where the woman worked and Butzow was a frequent customer.

Two days later, the woman returned to the house after Butzow asked her to help him clean up and package some leftover food.

The two began drinking wine and Butzow attempted to kiss the woman several times. She repeatedly told him to stop and pushed him away. She tried to leave, but Butzow told her she was in no condition to drive. That was the last thing she remembered before losing consciousness.