Last week Minister of Rural Affairs Jeff Leal visited Leamington Raceway. Accompanied by fellow Liberal Teresa Piruzza, representing Windsor West, Leal met with a group of approximately 50 horse people from the region.

Leal and Piruzza congratulated the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association, and The Leamington District Agricultural Society for their successful race meet held in the fall of 2013. He recalled his University days in Windsor and reminisced about working part-time at Windsor Raceway, as well as working his summers in the backstretch of Kawartha Downs and stated the importance of the Regional tracks that are located outside the Central Ontario framework.

Spectators were given a chance to ask questions at the end of the press conference. The locals tried to instil the fact on the pair of Liberal politicians that Windsor has been, and could remain the second highest wagering platform available in Ontario. Some of the audience members suggested that, if funding were available to support a B-track in Southwestern Ontario, the wagering results seen in the fall of 2013 could grow to be competitive with the larger centres. Jobs could be created or at least preserved, and the economy could be boosted if the government supported a B-track initiative.

The MPPs made no promises but thanked the crowd for taking the time to meet them and express their views.

The LHRA plans to apply for 30 days of live harness racing in 2014.