Even though fair racing is an unparalleled way for newcomers who otherwise would never be exposed to racing to view the sport in close proximity, it has become nearly non-existent in recent years in Ontario. The work of individuals like Tom Lindsay, however, is trying to stop this trend.
On Saturday, July 21, people from around eastern Ontario will gather in Lansdowne for a day of harness racing and other horse-related events, during the three-day long Lansdowne Fair.
Putting together three, five-horse fields is the goal, relays the man who already believes that he may have nine entries of the 15 they are hoping for. Lindsay’s plan is for two fields of pacers and one of trotters, if entries allow. They will go two heats on the day, totaling six races throughout the afternoon card. To try and make the races as fair and competitive as possible, the organizers study past form of the horses and then put together the fields.
There is no starting gate, so a rolling fair start is used as a substitute. Lindsay insists that there are never any problems with the method. “Everyone is here to have fun so everyone makes sure they all get a fair start,” Lindsay told Trot Insider.
“We have Standardbred Canada sending us a cooler, OHHA is doing the same, and then we have three local sponsors who are giving a blanket out for the winners. This year will be a bit different in one way though,” Lindsay revealed. “We had someone who had been involved in the races at the fair for years pass away in the last year. Some of the local sponsors have gotten together, and one of the races this year will be in the memory of Gord Hart. It will be special to see a race dedicated to Gord.”
There’s no pari-mutuel wagering on the races at the fair so funding for the races comes from the fair itself, and local sponsors. Every entrant will however, be given an appearance fee, which does not change if your horse wins or gallops around the track and finishes last.
“We have had a good turnout the last few years, we were back up to 12 horses last year and the number keeps going up,” said Lindsay. He illustrated that it's tough to get entries early because most people won’t put their horse in to go until less than a week out. In the past they have gotten horses who have missed the box at Kawartha Downs or Rideau Carleton for that weekend, so they choose to race at the fair instead. Lindsay also said that some of their entries come from stables whose horse is either ready to qualify or just qualified, and are in need of a start to sharpen up.
Lindsay credits the spike in horses entered to race at the fair in recent years to a raise in the appearance fees handed out. The races also take place on a very good track. “We race on Mark Steacy’s half-mile farm track,” Lindsay told Trot Insider. “The track is in very good condition because of that.”
With this year’s theme of 'Come horse around with us', the people from the Lansdowne Fair are trying to prove that fair racing is still very much alive, and important to the growth of the sport.
Entries for the fair races can be made by contacting Tom Lindsay at (613) 484-3159.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Justin Fisher)
I agree with these gentlemen.
I agree with these gentlemen. Used to love Port Perry and Orono races. Grew up going to the Orono races on Friday nights. It's a shame that we cannot have fair races any more. Ontario Racing take note -people will come to the fair races. I watch the advertising on Ontario racing. Instead of showing races they show people betting. Ontario racing, we can do better.
I had a blast racing the
I had a blast racing the Markham and Port Perry fairs. Unfortunately the last Markham fair had empty stands that filled to capacity for monster truck races afterword.
Promotion of the racing needs to improve to get it back on the fair schedule.
The fairs exist to make money and I am sorry to say, the races were dropped due to cattle farmers running Markham Fair instead of horsemen.
In reply to I had a blast racing the by Tim Bates
I'm wondering then, why don't
I'm wondering then, why don't a bunch of owners, trainers & drivers go to the Markham Fair board of directors & try to get harness racing back into this coming years fall fair? There has to be someone - some group that could front the cost of the purses, even if it's $15,000-$20,000 for a fair card. Even if you could get 5 races with 5-7 horses a dash & run two heats you could put on a 10 race card with purses from $1,000-$1,500 each race. I know there's tons of costs involved from pari-mutuel people to security, judges, & so on & so on. But if fair racing is ever going to come back, the best place to start off once again is what Sheldon said & bring it back to the Markham Fairgrounds. They have the space, the nice track, and can run pari-mutuel wagering.
I agree 100% with Sheldon.
I agree 100% with Sheldon. The Markham Fair used to have racing for years & years... all of the sudden they pulled the plug & said it costs too much to run. With the money they make in admission they should put the money into a day or two of racing at the track once again. Years ago they'd have 2 great days of racing on Sat/Sun & the stands were packed with people of all ages cheering on the horses. There was wagering & was so great to see... now the track just sits there doing nothing except for a tractor pull on the weekend of the fair - a waste. Someone should step up & get racing back to this fair once again. If I had the money I would love to run a 2 day meet there & bring back harness racing to the fair where it belongs. Fairs like Port Perry, Paris, Orono & so on could all do the same & bring life back to the fair circuit in Ontario. It's a great wayto expose our sport to new people. They seem to run all the time in the USA - why can't we do it here?
Ontario Racing should take
Ontario Racing should take note of this. It’s not too late for them to take the initiative to have racing at Markham Fair, the second largest fair in Ontario, next to the Royal. It has stabling, a great half mile track and most importantly, people. By doing this you’re bringing the horses to the people.