This afternoon, the Ontario Harness Horse Association issued the following release to the industry regarding a recommended horsemen’s boycott of Woodbine Entertainment Group’s entry box as a result of the lack of a 2009 contract between the two groups.

OHHA continues to support horsemen in not entering to race at Woodbine Racetrack starting with the January 1, 2009 race card until a satisfactory racing contract is achieved. To clarify OHHA’s position, President Jim Whelan says: “We do not, in any way, condone cheating! At issue here is a demand from WEG that we give up our right to represent horsemen at the ORC or in the courts. We must retain our right to ensure that horsemen get the due process the law of Canada promises - to do that we must ensure that a valid ORC racing license gives access to racing at every Ontario racetrack and horsemen can count on their association to support their rights. We are ready to meet with WEG management at anytime or place.”

The ORC has been given the authority to regulate horse racing in Ontario by the provincial government. That ORC can immediately suspend any licensee for an alleged serious performance enhancing drug violation, can impose severe, long-term penalties for violations proven through a hearing and can impose licensing conditions on any individual coming back from the suspension. There is no need for WEG or any other racetrack operator to impose another regulatory process.

With regards to purse money from the winter thoroughbred and Hong Kong simulcasts, WEG has demanded that OHHA give up the right for standardbred horsemen to set the amounts that will flow to standardbred and thoroughbred purses. WEG wants that right to rest with the thoroughbred horsemen. OHHA has not been asked by the thoroughbred horsemen to support this change. The current system has been in place since the early 1990’s in recognition of the fact that the winter thoroughbred simulcast has tremendous impact on the live standardbred bet. The HBPA and ORC agreed with OHHA to implement the current revenue sharing system at that time. WEG has not informed OHHA that this demand has been withdrawn.

For more information log on to www.ohha.ca or contact John Walzak at 905-301-0394.

(OHHA)

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