Blakney: $9 Million Figure Is "Unclear"
In an effort to clarify and correct some information circulating concerning distribution of purse money, John L. Blakney, Executive Director of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) issued this statement
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I wish to confirm the status of purse monies with respect to the implementation of the 2011 Ontario Racing Program.
As stated in a number of information bulletins released by the Implementation and Monitoring (IM) Group, purse money will remain what it always has been – for the benefit of horsepeople. As Director, the only redirection of purse money I have authorized to date has involved Windsor Raceway, Dresden and Woodstock. Contrary to some commentary, no purse monies have been redirected to WEG or the ORC.
Will there be a surplus in the purse accounts of Ontario racetracks? With due respect to industry commentators, there is no factual basis for the figure of $ 9 million, based on any ORC analysis.
That analysis and the gathering of facts are ongoing. To that end, the IM Group has asked Purse Account Managers of all racetracks to provide the following financial updates: the purse account balance at January 1, 2011; and an estimate of purse expenditures for added money events for the rest of the year. It is expected that all tracks will provide this information by Friday, March 25.
How will any surplus be distributed? Under the Rules of Racing, the Director can approve allocation of purses that “…are for the benefit of racing or will provide benefits to all or a sizeable proportion of horsepeople.” No decision has been made with respect to the allocation of any surplus. The determination of how and where a surplus will be allocated will be undertaken through a planning process involving the racing community.
To start this dialogue, I have invited the presidents of all horsepeople associations to meet with me on March 29, 2011 to establish a process that will benefit all horsepeople and racing. I encourage all members of the racing community to contact their representatives and ensure your ideas are considered.
The ideas generated must be based on the benefit to all horsepeople and the goals of the Ontario Racing Program.
John L. Blakney
Executive Director
(Note - In an effort to consolidate comments on topics, if you wish to voice your opinion on the situation, please do so via the link which appears below.)
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