Covid-19

AGCO Updates Temporary COVID-19 Rules

January 31, 2024

To provide clarity to the industry, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced several updates to the temporary COVID-19 rule amendments in the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rul...

Truro Cancels Cards, Concludes Season

December 21, 2021

Truro Raceway Ltd. has been informed that, due to the Province of Nova Scotia’s restrictions effective Wednesday, Dec. 22, race cards will not be permitted.

Ontario Adjusts Capacity Limits

December 20, 2021

Racetracks in Ontario have new capacity limits in response to the rapidly-spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Grand River Resumes Spectator Free

Grand River Raceway formally announced that it will resume racing in Step One; however, spectators will be watching online from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Grand River Gears Up For Return

In light of the recent Government of Ontario “Roadmap to Reopen” announcement, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province, Grand River Raceway is preparing to begin Standardbred ra...

Woodbine Looks To Host Vaccination Clinic

As the province-wide shutdown in Ontario continues past its initial end date through to its new extended expiration on May 20, Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale is in talks to use its currently vacant fac...

McNair Moving Stateside

With the extension of Ontario’s shutdown and the return of racing in the province yet to have a clear date, driver Doug McNair will be taking his tack stateside.

Ontario Horsemen Head To Hoosier

As Ontario's harness racing industry continues to wait patiently for answers on a date to resume activity, a number of notable participants will be headed to the Hoosier State to compete as of this we...

Shutdown Fight Risks Horseperson Flight

With the emergency 28-day shutdown in Ontario continuing and racing still sidelined, the question for many horsepeople—and the industry landscape as a whole—has been shifting from "if" racing will ret...

Equine Benefit Payments Now Available

Ontario Racing is pleased to announce that Standardbred horsepeople now have the opportunity to access certain purse funds that remain available under the Funding Agreement with Ontario Lottery and Ga...

Notice Regarding Breathalyzer Testing

As an update to the March 2020 Industry Notice on the use of the breathalyzer, the AGCO has developed an interim measure to incorporate another tool to maintain the Human Alcohol and Drug Program to e...

Ohio Horsepeople Enduring Pandemic

January 21, 2021

The harness racing industry of Ohio, like many other states, has borne the brunt of a world trifled by a pandemic over nearly the last year. But with time, racing returned to the state with accommodat...

Tanev And A Tale Of Two Sports

January 21, 2021

Mike Tanev has an interest in multiple professional sports, but only one — professional hockey — is active during the current pandemic lockdown. The father of two NHLers would like the Ontario governm...