The 2010 Atlantic Harness Racing Symposium continued this morning in Truro, Nova Scotia with a session titled “Doing It Right,” examining a number of industry platforms across the four Atlantic provinces

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Horse Racing New Brunswick executive director Jeff Malloy discussed the organization’s video streaming platform, which he described as essential to establishing interest in their product. "There are unlimited opportunities on video streaming. We have to self-promote, build our wagering pools and re-build interest in the Maritime product."

Malloy said HRNB looked at different options in June 2009 and found the internet as the best means to getting the region’s races streamed.

“With today's technology, video streaming can be done at a very minimal cost,” stated Malloy. “Currently HRNB streams all races from Fredericton and EPR.

"We average 50 to 100 online viewers, we broadcast to three locations and we're looking at expanding our simulcast locations. People are logging on from everywhere in North America. We've had 4,300 hours viewed since June of last year."

Steve Morton, president of the Truro Harness Horseowners Association, took the mic next to discuss the successful changes made to Halifax teletheatres to improve wagering.

“Three years ago in Truro we were in major trouble trying to up our bet. We had three teletheatres but they were going downhill,” explained Morton. “As of today the teletheatre in Halifax is betting 53 per cent of our overall bet. That teletheatre has been our salvation.

“If you're going to open a teletheatre you have to do it right,” he continued. “You have to cater to the big bettors. We bet more on Meadowlands and Northfield park than anywhere. The drivers are out and going at these tracks and our bettors are betting more on them. Woodbine is not our salvation. Our customers bet more on the Meadowlands and Northfield than on Woodbine harness or thoroughbreds. Bettors aren't concerned about purse money - they want horses out and going - competitive racing.”

And Morton suggests competitive racing helps to expand the demographics of the industry’s fan base as well.

“The bettors we see have grey hair,” he said. “We need to give the younger bettors something exciting to bet on. As someone betting I want a chance to win my money. Every horse should be in to win. If we in the Atlantic region are betting more on Northfield than Woodbine, something is wrong at the top.

“We have to make our product as good as the thoroughbreds for the bettors with big pools. We have to stand on our own or there won't be any more racing,” he concluded.

Describing the Northside Downs live wagering experience, Butch Hawco, President of Cape Breton Horsemens Association, stressed the importance of making all fans in attendance feel welcome.

“When they get there you have to thank them for coming,” he said. “Last year we walked around and thanked every fan for being there. They said it's the first time they've been thanked.

"In our top class anyone can race. We have to have heroes. People need to feel welcome. Make it a good experience for coming.

“In three years our wagering is 300 per cent up,” reflected Hawco. “When they come, they're welcome. I sell the 50-50 tickets so I can talk to the crowd.

“We've been chasing people away for 25 years. We actually get large crowds to the races. And we get 150 fans on the fence watching horses training even in the rain.”

Wayne Pike, executive director of the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association, described the need for matinee programs to establish a positive experience at the track.

“We invest in the matinee program because it attracts families - youth oriented. The youth can pet the horses, talk to the drivers and get a positive experience.

“We're thankful that horsepeople will race at matinee tracks,” continued Pike. “We have five tracks. In our five matinee tracks we probably have 200 volunteers. That is such a resource.”

Pike noted that the matinee programs not only draw a mixture of fans and horses, older and younger, but a mixture of racing participants as well.

“We've made an agreement with the MPHRC and we'll have a judge come on occasion to allow young drivers to get some points. We have a joint insurance program which they can get involved.”

“Our youngest driver last year was 10 and our oldest was 80,” added Kent Oakes from the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture. “We're very inclusive.

“We [the provincial government] get a return many fold. We've built new barns at four of the tracks and improved the racing surfaces. They've become excellent training centers.”

Following the “Doing It Right” session, the Honourable John MacDonell, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Nova Scotia, expressed the notable impact the racing industry has on the local economy.

“Harness racing is really grassroots. The contribution people make to the rural economy is very important.

“I see the funding is used in rural Nova Scotia. My door is open to Dan [Mailman, executive director of Harness Racing Nova Scotia] and we've had several good discussions,” said MacDonell, noting that he does not know an awful lot about harness racing although he does own horses. “I encourage the industry to get together in this type of forum.”

The Atlantic Harness Racing Symposium continues this evening and will wrap up on Sunday morning.

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