"Only a clueless politician or one of his hatchet men could recommend cutting race dates, horse population and number of tracks as a method of “growing” the betting handle, but that’s the essence of this latest brainwave."

Toronto Star sports columnist Dave Perkins continues to follow what he calls the Ontario government's "unprovoked war on horse racing" and in his latest column weighs in on the recently released Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel's draft plan for a sustainable horse racing industry in the province.

"It’s gloriously vague, but clearly leans toward more bureaucracy and less racing and wants a government-appointed panel to oversee the sport," wrote Perkins.

"Great. Just what we need: More government friends handed sweetheart deals, at elevated salaries, doubtless with expensive assistants and nice pensions and such. Considering nobody in horse racing would — or should — trust the Liberals to run a hotdog stand, this sounds like another disaster waiting to happen."

To read Perkins' column in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Toronto Star)

To read and comment on the Horse Racing Transition Panel's Plan, click the following link: Toward a Sustainable Future – a Plan for Horse Racing in Ontario.