It has been reported that Kawartha Downs Ltd. has informed the Ontario Racing Commission that it will not be applying for a licence to operate the Fraserville, Ont. raceway in 2014.

An article by The Peterborough Examiner has cited Steve Brackenridge, the past president of the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, as saying, “I wouldn’t say there’s a 100 per cent chance there will be racing next year (at Kawartha) – but I’d say there’s a much better chance than people think today.”

The report has cited Brackenridge as saying that a not-for-profit organization still has the opportunity to step up with a business plan in an attempt to operate live racing at the Peterborough-area track in 2014. The deadline for such an application is February 15, 2014.

The article has cited Brackenridge as saying that the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture will not be submitting an application to hold live racing at the track.

Brackenridge did state that there is still strong demand from area horsepeople to see live racing at Kawartha in 2014.

(With files from The Peterborough Examiner)