The Quebec Jockey Club is rethinking its plan to race in March and April at Hippodrome de Quebec

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In a statement posted Friday on the QJC website, manager Vincent Trudel said "we understand it's not ideal to race in the winter."

"We'll do it if we haven't found an alternative solution."

The QJC says it will make its plans known in mid-February. If it can find somewhere else to race permanently, it could delay presenting live harness racing until later in the summer. It's reportedly considering the still-vacant Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres as a possible replacement site.

The QJC's hand was forced when it learned Hippodrome de Quebec would be unavailable for harness racing as of May in order to provide additional parking for the new Quebec City arena.

To keep its internet betting licence, the group indicated it would present racing in March and April instead. In 2011, the live cards were presented from June to September.

It says it still intends to present at least 20 days of live harness racing in 2012.

(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean; Photo courtesy Sylvain Gagnon)