As a result of the impact of the closure of Woodbine Racetrack’s backstretch on the Fort Erie Race Track’s horse entries, track management made application to the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) to vary its 2013 race date schedule by cancelling four Mondays and adding three dates at the end of the meet.

Following consideration of the circumstances, the Director approved the application. Monday, June 17, June 24, July 1 and July 8, 2013 are cancelled and Sunday, September 29, Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1, 2013 are added to the Fort Erie 2013 approved race date schedule.

The decision of the Director was based on the following:

1. The available horse supply at Fort Erie in 2013 is already challenged, being significantly below historical levels. It is noted, however, that improvements in the number of available horses is slowly occurring.
2. The outbreak of the EHV-1 at Woodbine Racetrack caused the closure of the backstretch to outbound horses. In any normal card at Fort Erie, a material number of the horses carded are stabled at Woodbine Racetrack. Without these horses, Fort Erie may not be able to produce a competitive card of racing. This circumstance surrounding horse supply is beyond the control of racetrack management. While the closure of Woodbine’s backstretch for outbound horses has now been lifted, Barn 1 is still restricted and there will be some uncertainty moving forward for a number of weeks.
3. Attempts to fill three cards of racing per week under the current circumstances could result in horses racing too frequently and increase the risk to the welfare of the equine athletes.

Please be advised that any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission.

(ORC)