This past Saturday evening, fans, horsemen, track operators and politicians alike each took time to reflect on Sudbury Downs, as the raceway's November 24 card could prove be the last ever at the northern Ontario half-mile oval.

A report by The Sudbury Star leads off by quoting horseman/loyal racing fan Ivan Richardson, who has been a regular at the raceway since its inception in 1974. "I'm going to be very sad (if) this place is going to close for horse racing," he said. "I feel bad for the horsemen because I know a lot of horsemen here. I hope they keep this track open. I think somebody, some politician, is going to put some money in it."

Owner/horseman John Rodriguez, a former Greater Sudbury mayor, also took in the scene and commented that he was feeling "sad" and "nostalgic" about the raceway and the evening itself.

"What insults me is the way this whole thing was done. (Premier Dalton) McGuinty's putting 60,000 people out of work," said local Progressive Conservative candidate Paula Peroni.

Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas, from the New Democratic Party, stated "deep down, I can't help but thinking: 'You know, when a Toronto-centric government makes (rural) decisions, this is what you get.'"

Sudbury Downs General Manager Ken Le Drew added that it was "just a really sorry day" and that he was "almost without words."

(With files from The Sudbury Star)

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