Attractions Hippiques has been granted a 120-day extension of creditor protection in Quebec Superior Court. The new deadline is February 4, 2009.

In its appeal for an extension, the operator of Quebec's four racetracks said it was confident a plan of arrangement acceptable to its creditors can be worked out.

It's been in creditor protection since the end of June, 2008.

The provincial horsemen's association did not contest the extension, waiting to see what Attractions Hippiques proposes as racing dates for 2009 before taking position.

(Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)