On Friday, September 12, the Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Central Ontario Standardbred Association issued a joint release which states that the two organizations have reached a five-year deal which establishes minimum race dates and purses for the duration of the contract.
The release does not contain any specific facts relating to the minimum race dates and purses, but it contains positive comments from COSA President Bill O’Donnell and WEG Executive Vice-President of Racing Jamie Martin.
The release states that the contract ‘runs through March 31, 2019.’
The contents of the release appear below.
Five Year agreement reached between WEG, COSA
TORONTO, September 12, 2014 - Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) today jointly announced a new agreement that has established minimum purse levels and race dates for the next five years.
"The five-year agreement provides a level of stability and purse certainty for our horseman to plan for the future,” said Bill O'Donnell, President of COSA. "WEG has clearly shown a significant commitment to our sport in these evolving and challenging times.”
“Confirming our ongoing relationship with COSA through 2019 represents a key plank to re-energizing the standardbred racing business in Ontario,” said Jamie Martin, Executive Vice-President of Racing. “We look forward to working together as new opportunities develop.”
The contract runs through March 31, 2019.