Officials with Rideau Carleton Raceway have issued an update on the status of live racing and training at the Ottawa-area oval.

The statement from Rideau Carleton appears below.

After consulting with the National Capital Region Harness Horse Association regarding Monday's (Feb. 8) announcement from the province, Rideau Carleton Raceway management wishes to advise horsepeople that they have submitted an application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to move the originally scheduled race date of Sunday (Feb. 14) to Tuesday (Feb. 16) with a first post of 6:30 p.m.

Rideau has proceeded with this application, however it is predicated on Ottawa's Health region being designated a COVID category of Red or better. The current COVID case trend in the Ottawa region is encouraging. Approvals will also have to be granted from various regulatory bodies.

Please consult the condition sheet available on the Standardbred Canada website; declarations for Tuesday’s card must be made by Thursday (Feb. 11) at 10 a.m.

Unfortunately, qualifiers will not be permitted until next week, when they are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m.

Ship-ins will be permitted access to train on the race track starting Thursday (Feb. 11) in two time blocks: 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Reservations are required; please contact Sue McDonald at (613) 822-2211 ext. 4303. All COVID protocols are still in effect and will be strictly enforced.

Rideau Carleton management thanks all horsepeople for their patience through this reopening process.

(Rideau Carleton Raceway)