An application from Hanover Raceway requesting Signature purse levels for 2011 under the Ontario Racing Program was received by the Implementation and Monitoring Group and considered
. Having reviewed the application, the IM Group did not approve the application to the program.
Among the reasons cited in its notice of decision, the IM Group pointed out that the race dates and daily purse levels were arrived at based on application of the guiding principles of the framework to form the basis of the Ontario Racing Program. Specifically the concept of the hierarchy of racing cards is integral to the overall success of the framework.
Grassroots cards typically maintain a broad base of horses that ultimately filter up to support the top level of participation. It is within this hierarchical system and the synchronization of race dates that the race date calendar was established for 2011. The maximum daily purse levels for a grassroots card is set at $50,000.
To permit Hanover to card Signature races on a regular basis would jeopardize the overall concept of the Ontario Racing Program, as well as the racing program of Clinton Raceway and Woodstock (which are classified as offering grassroots racing programs). This adjustment would make it extremely difficult for racetracks within the same racing region offering grassroots cards with less purse money to attract horses of the same calibre. As well, such a change would put Hanover in direct competition for horses with Grand River Raceway and Flamboro Downs, both offering Signature racing cards where the daily minimum purse level is $65,000 per card.
The IM Group believes that Hanover Raceway is one of the best examples of a community based racing operation, working very successfully to attract local fans to their facility and creating a unique customer experience. The type of facility and type of racing they provide puts Hanover correctly in the category of offering grassroots cards, with the potential for applying for additional purse funds for special event days.
As indicated in its application for 2011 race dates, Hanover had suggested the designation of
grassroots cards limits the types of conditions its race secretary can card, and identified this as one of the reasons for applying for Grassroots Plus or Signature cards. In the implementation of the program, this was not the case.
During the industry meetings, a provincial wide condition book specific for each level of racing was discussed, but in the end, it was concluded that the program would start with standardized daily purse levels only. The condition book was not made a requirement at this time. As a result, race secretaries are permitted to design a race card to suit his/her local horse population, limited only by the upper level of the daily purse assignment.
Therefore, for the above outlined rational, the IM Group did not approve the application made by Hanover Raceway. Please note that Hanover Raceway has indicated its intention to appeal this decision to a panel of the Ontario Racing Commission.
To view the Hanover application, click here.
(ORC)
Two months ago I wrote to
Two months ago I wrote to comment on the new proposals. First,I questioned how it was in the ORC's mandate to arbitrarily dismantle the old structure. It seems to me they have their hands full fulfilling their regulatory obligations. Second,who are these industry panelists that propose to speak for anyone? Their understanding and capability obviously should be questioned. I also referenced that we had one track-Woodstock(28 days) that had a purse structure out of whack. So the response was to dismantle and micro-manage everything so as to serve no one well. And lastly, what a patronizing joke the town hall meetings were when all of the changes proposed were already forgone conclusions.
Probably 90% of people in this business race at B tracks. Its always been a struggle to make ends meet. And now somehow for the good of I don't know who, we're going to be better off racing for less money than in previous years. Already there has been talk by many smaller owners not to invest in any new stock for fear of not being able to reasonably justify the expense. That can't be good. If the goal of the ORC is to make sure the small tracks race nothing but cheap horses in order to be under the ridiculously low purse maximums than mission accomplished. How can this be good for racing? I was always under the crazy assumption that you tried to continually upgrade your stock for the betterment of racing and your bottom line. Not so now. Finally, let me demonstrate how little this panel understands racing. Part of their goal was to coerce people into racing at WEG with their better horses. News flash- If anyone has a horse good enough to race there, they will. The simple fact is that there is, and always has been a limited number of horses that can compete there on a regular basis. Same for the meadowlands. Now even though Georgians' purses have been significantly reduced, Woodbine has had 11 races friday and saturday with only 10 races monday and thursday. Your plan is working to perfection at the expense of the 90% of the rest of us. Congratulations
In reply to Two months ago I wrote to by chris bush
I asked my feedman,
I asked my feedman, blacksmith and vet if they would drop their prices 8% because the purses were down by that much and they all laughed at me. That 8% goes right against my bottom line.
Horseman need a say somewhere on this board because we are greatly effected by their decisions, which thus far are impacting the industry in a negative way.
Whichever way you look at it that's 8% that won't be re-invested in the indystry. B horses are B horses and they won't become A horses in any time soon.
I can only assume that
I can only assume that someone has considered the excess purse monies to have all tracks add the starting bonus that Woodbine has implemented this year?
The money in the purse account is for only purses, but this starting bonus would beneifit the local horsemen.
Wht dont we as a industry
Wht dont we as a industry start keeping track of attendance at these racetracks and stop using betting handle as the barometer of the health of the horse community in a particular area. If the Orc wants to see your handle go up they should talk to the CPMA to allow you to reduce your takeout to 0 for the first three weeks of your meet. Between the simulcasting and interest this concept will attract your handle will explode. The present wagering format adds very little to the track coffers or purse account because 25 percent of very little is still very little.
I strongly believe the Orc and the horseman groups are trying to change the horse racing for the better but I think they are struggling for the answers because they havent framed this discussion with the right questions. If you think think that handle on para mutual wagers and how much is bet at each of the locations is the driving force behind how we distribute our purse money then every smaller community in Ontario is doomed to racing for smaller purses. I believe that the slots program was designed and implemented by the Ontario government as an attempt to redistribute employment opportunities and wealth from the cities to the rural community.
I dont see a lot of training centers opening in Downsview or Scarborough ,nor do I see alot of factories (like Toyota in Woodstock) being built in the rural communities of Ontario with the Canadian dollar above par. My conclusion is very simple, the Orc needs to understand that their number one criteria for making these decisions is flawed , para mutual wagering is dying or dead ,so to use it as the main criteria to allocate purses is counter productive to why the Ontario govt gave the the slots programs to the track owners and the horse racing industry to begin with.
I had a mare race at Hanover last year in their preferred with Suzie Kerwood and she kept telling me to drive the 6 hours fron Kingston to watch her race because the track was packed and I would have a great time. Unfortunately I have also gone to Woodstock on a Saturday afternoon and almost missed my post time because they run races every 10 minutes so they can get out of their by 3 pm. To classify these two tracks as being equal because neither track bets enough into an antiquated model is wrong and stops the people who run Hanover race track who work hard to promote harness racing in rural communities from even trying.
In its Ontario Racing
In its Ontario Racing Program Update of January 18, 2011 the ORC states that the Program will be "agile and responsive", that it will identify "what needs adjustment" and that it "needs to be flexible enough to change and accomodate regional issues." Perhaps the solution here would be to raise the minimum daily purse level for all grassroots tracks to $50,000 with a maximum of $60,000.
All too accurate Mr.
All too accurate Mr. Burgess!!
Mr. Hastie is right on track
Mr. Hastie is right on track with this one. Hanover raceway and the GM Gord Dougan have and continue to work harder than any other track in Ontario each year to attract its regular patrons as well as grow its newer younger crowds. The Ontario Racing Plan needs to consider this when deciding the purse allocation. If we do not continue to grow the grassroots tracks within Ontario their demise is eminent. To introduce a purse reduction at these tracks is oxi-moron.
How much of a celebration do you think there would be at Woodbine if there was an additional 15k thrown out on a race card.(probably not much) In yet, for the Ontario Racing Plan to pull this out and say "this year we need the surplus to go to another track", is completely ridiculous. No doubt this decision is a tough one, but to see the work that Gord Dougan and his team do week in and week out and then to pull the rug out from under him - is not what the purse pool was designed for. Remember it was to inspire and support growth.
If we continue to pull monies out of tracks that are supporting themselves, showing continued growth, just to try and support others, this system is sure to crash. The local people that are putting money into the track are not going to be happy to hear their money is going sommewhere else. This track is in a very isolated location within Ontario, the closest track is Clinton and it is a good 1.25 hrs. travel time. To say the Grassroot tracks are competing with each other is hogwash, and simillar is the case with Kawartha. The tracks are located in such a way that there is plenty support for everyone, but the purse amounts are what draw the horsepeople. In that respect with the sudden increase in fuel costs, this decision will come down to dollars and cents more so this year than ever before. To reduce the purses at the horsemans local track, you will be CREATING a competition amongst the grassroot tracks, not trying to avoid it.
I think the program is gambling with the purse pool money, tables may be coming to Ontario in the next few years and if they become available, the GM's of these smaller tracks will need to make the decision of;"what do we try to grow - the tables or the live racing?" If I got a shot in the arm like this, I know where I would focus. Is that what we want?? If it is a case, and sorry Woodstock, but if it is geographically not possible to stand on its own two feet then so be it, do not drag the rest of the grassroots tracks down with it. Again, a tough decision, but this needs to be considered.
Gord - continue the great work you are doing, it does not go unnoticed, you and your team put on an incredible show each week and the people in Hanover and area appreciate your efforts. This appeal needs to be re-considered and should be put in place at the Signature level.
Just take a look at
Just take a look at Saturdays card at Kawartha downs and you can see the results of this new framework. Thats all they can do being a grassroots track .They had to cut purses and shift classes to Thursday just to put together a ten race card!
How can cutting purses ,limiting the number of races carded and not letting local horsepeople race for whats in there tracks purse pool be good for racing!!
Hanover Raceway has worked
Hanover Raceway has worked very hard in promoting it's product just like Grand River among other tracks. Between every race there are giveaways and promotions.On most race nights it is packed with patrons, many new patrons every year come back again and again as they have had an entertaining night out. On most nights it is hard to get through the crowds. Now the ORC sees fit to penalize Hanover by categorizing their product? Isn't that what we are trying to do? Trying to build a fanbase with new and younger crowds? As far as the betting goes on any Hanover race card it isn't a big number but has anybody tried to get into the slots on racenight? Usually there is a line up and it is packed. Where the patron spends his money either at the betting windows or at the slots is irrelevent. They are there and want to be there and want to come back! The purses are fair and the race secretary is very fair with the condition sheets. Is this move going to upset the apple cart??? Why fix what isn't broken at this particular entity?? Doesn't every racetrack have different circumstances to deal with?
The bottom line at Hanover is that they are selling a product that satisfies the current customer and also sells it to the future customer. We don't know what the future brings to Hanover but this is a step back. We cannot afford a step back in Hanover. The work done by Gord Dugan at Hanover is to be commended. Don't tie his hands.
The ORC is well aware that
The ORC is well aware that refusing Hanover's application for Signature cards will ensure a horseman's underpayment of the purse pool. (One already exists and is guaranteed to increase under this system. Do the math.) The ominous silence of the ORC framework as to the disposition of purse account surplus should be a huge red flag to everyone in the industry. Where will this money go??? The ORC, despite initial claims that purse pooling was not the intent of the framework, is now hinting that these monies will be redistributed (see last answers posted by the IM group) although it does not speak to where. Is the ORC planning on dipping into the purse account to fund its ever growing deficit as it has done before? (The ORC funded half of an $800,000 deficit by quietly helping itself to the purse account, all the while doubling their investigative staff. I don't know of any other business that can operate at huge deficits and yet increase staff let alone by skimming public money from its intended purpose!) This is an issue that horsemen need to involve their local and provincial politicians in. Local politicians fought hard against opposition to gambling because they believed that the money raised from it would benefit local, agricultural economies not feed a "regulatory" body that clearly is snowballing out of control. The Minister of Agriculture should be extremely alarmed by these developments. As far as the ORC's comments that Hanover's racing a signature card would hurt Clinton Raceway, as Chairman of the Board of Clinton Raceway for the past 11 years and a horseman that races at both tracks, I can assure you that this notion is absolutely absurd. I think they make this stuff up as they go along!
the comments are right on.
the comments are right on. the MONEY GRAB has begun. someone needs to tell these guys to check their mandate and stop meddling.
After reading the
After reading the application from Hanover and seeing that the simulcast of their product handled $6,000 on a Wednesday night and a further $3,000 on a Saturday night, what part of the equation am I missing that they consider themselves a signature track that should be able to hand out larger purses?
Attracting a better quality of horse will not improve their handle but maybe a better simulcasting product could, or better yet maybe a guaranteed Win 4 could help them better the handle. Take the extra money that they wanted to throw in the purse pools and give the gamblers an opportunity to bet into a big pool and believe me they will attract a few new customers. This should be the case at all of the B tracks as many of their simulcasting products are sorely lacking in camera angles and in house handicapping shows that actually have some knowledgeable people trying to help some of the people who tune into their product, try and pick a few winners.
I had mentioned in another thread that the idea of a Super B track that ran double cards of 20 races a day, 7 days a week, could survive without slots if ran and marketed properly, I believe is the only answer to the slow death of all the smaller tracks in Ontario. In all seriousness , would anybody (other then the horsemen and women) miss some of the tracks if they closed, other then the cities and towns that collect taxes from them?
In closing, times have changed and the game hasn't. Its time for a change for the betterment and more so for the survival of the industry outside of Woodbine.
Gary Blackburn
It seems that the system to
It seems that the system to regulate who races where is designed to force anyone with a good horse to have to go to WEG tracks.Great for WEG, but why can't a horseperson race their horse in their own community, and help draw patrons who want to see good horses? I think this whole system in place stinks, not that I am against trying new things to promote our sport, but these new ideas can't possibly be coming from people who actually know or are involved at the grassroots level. We're out here breeding and conditioning the future of the business, and can't have any choice in where we race?All tracks should have the same conditions?I think the unique tracks' conditions,locations,surfaces,etc are a good thing so you can choose to race your horse where they are best suited, not where some bureaucrat determines you have to go.Reward tracks for true innovation and progressive thinking, and cut money to the dumps that don't want to improve their facility/handle/attendance
Big Brother knows best!
Big Brother knows best!
Here is a track that is
Here is a track that is TRYING and yet is being punished by this arbitrary hierarchal system. The next question that should be asked: where will the ORC deem the surplus from the Hanover purse pool should be applied? Why can't the decent crowds on a Sat. Night at Hanover see some good horses if they have purses available that would attract them there. And not just have it on "special" OSS nights. Maybe the business model at Hanover dictates that they need top quality racing more often. We already have a regulator in Canada (the CPMA) that makes it hard enough for tracks to be innovative if they are so inclined. Now the tracks will be regulated even further.
It seems in this corner that the only purses that were extremely "out of whack" were at Woodstock. But it appears that smaller problem has been attacked with a sledge hammer.