Hanover Raceway has announced that it is opening its track for outside training starting Saturday, March 31. It also announced that it has been forced to cancel some of its added-money events

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The track's general manager, Gord Dougan, has said that the raceway is about four weeks ahead of schedule and all the frost is now gone from the track.

Meanwhile, as a result of the government decision to end the current slots-at-racetracks program by March 31, 2013, the Hanover Bentinck and Brant Agricultural Society has decided to cancel its Saugeen Claiming and Future Stars added-money events.

Dougan says the OLG announcement threatens hundreds of farm families who rely on the track's purses to earn a living.

"Our board felt now is not the time to expand our special events," Dougan said. "Obviously, we are hoping that the government will change its mind and keep our industry alive, as hundreds of local horsemen and women rely on our purses to feed their families and pay their mortgages. We encourage everyone to attend rallies, sign petitions, and write to www.ondpcaucus.com/yoursay and tell the NDP to fight for rural Ontario."

(With files from Hanover)