I have learned that the rule written to penalize unsafe track conditions is not used all that much by the ORC and the reason I got was because of extreme weather events. What are the criteria for deciding when weather causes the problem and when it is neglect of duty. The ORC is holding a meeting this week regarding the track condition at Rideau last Thursday. In attendance will be the judges, track sup. track managaement rep.s, Horseman rep.s. I like many other eagerly await the results of this inquiry. I assume a review will be posted by either the ORC or the Horseman's Association or both.

i have read all of the comments regarding the cancellation of the races at rideau on thursday night and it highlights the major problem with our industry. That problem is
the ability of participants in this industry to take any issue and apply their pet project or peeve to it. An example of this is the comments regarding the present horseman group and applying the blame on them for the track and the obvious solution is OHHA. This would imply that ohha represented tracks have no problems regarding track conditions or cancellations. I know that many cancellations have occured under the watchful eye of OHHA and the national capitol horseman group. The problem with track conditions in Ontario is not about the horsemans group it is about the tracks responsibilty and the lack of penalties assessed by the ORC for mismangement of track conditions. We have more fines for smoking in the paddock and drivers talking after the post parade than poor track conditions. If the tracks knew that if everyday the track condition was as important as the condition of the slot machines we would race on much better surfaces. The SADINSKY REPORT suggests that racetracks have their slot revenue withheld on days where they do not meet their contractual obligations regarding the live racing program. In case anyone is interested the SADINSKY REPORT
was widely condemmed by the race track operators because they much prefer the status quo. and the apparent lack of interest by the commission to make racetracks responsible for live racing programs.

My questions are posed with somewhat of a facetious tone. I (as most of us do) know where and how the money is supposed to flow to fix problems.It matters not what letters are on our hats - For the game and the livelihood of many families - something has to be done in a collective cooperative manner to approach the obstacles that are holding our industry back from being great once again. Horse racing was once the # 1 fan attended sport in North America. Much can be gleaned from Obama's inauguration speech and directly applied to harness racing community. Something about "petty grievances" and "begin again the remaking of".

Mr. Christie - with all due respect, you are still missing the point and more importantly the answer to your burning question(s) - The NCRHHA is now responsible for speaking on the Horseman's behalf. Concerning ALL the issues you bring forward. Seems a few years back, the locals thought things couldn't possibly get worse and ousted OHHA from representing them.
You can buy all you want, pave all you want, change all you want, but the bottom line is - without someone representing the horseman that truly shares in everyones best interest - it will all rot in the backstretch with the rest of the litter. After a few years even the new pavement will crack without proper respect and attention. Smoke and Mirrors at best.

Once again, solid proof, - NEVER look a gift horse in the mouth!

Respectfully,
Been There, Done That.

It looks like montreal will never be going again maybe we could hire their track maintenance it would be an awful shame if we lost the grassroots finals because of our track maintenance and backstetch conditions maybe we could buy the lights and eguipment also.

Gord - Thank You for coming forward with the truth in such a public manner. You are correct. You are also too funny! Why pray-tell in an effor to keep the dust down, would you suggest using a water truck with a screen in Jan/Feb on an already ice layered racetrack? There are products on the market for just such a problem. However, they are costly. Please explain your rational?
The problem will only be solved when and if the Horseman's Representation takes a solid and not self-serving interest in the Horseman's safety, combined with the efforts of the ORC to properly govern their own jurisdictions, including that the minimal track and safety condition mandates are met and adhered too, by all track management across the board.
The meeting in the paddock office Thursday evening should have gone like this -

THE ORC:"WE are cancelling the balance of the card due to the unsafe track condition."
THE DRIVERS: "Thank You" - for protecting our interests and safety.

NOT........

THE ORC: addressing a few local drivers asking "Do you want to continue in this?" "Is it safe"? ......what are they viewing in those binoculars from the warmth and safety of the gondola?
LOCALS DRIVERS: "No, it's not safe" ......infront of the race secretary's spouse!

If the ORC has not provided local judges with the capacity to do so - then maybe this too should be looked into - in the interest of safety.

why force a handful of local catch-drivers to compromise their own safety and interests into biting the hand that feeds them into such and un-comfortable position? All in the front of the race secretary's spouse!
who's side is the ORC on?
another day another discussion ...............

WHERE OH WHERE IS THE ONTARIO RACING COMMISSION?

THIS BLOATED BUREAUCRACY IS JUST A WASTE OF MONEY

THERE SHOULD BE nothing MORE IMPORTANT THAN DRIVER AND HORSE SAFETY

MAYBE A CALL TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY WOULD SMARTEN THIS OWNER AND HIS BOYS UP

AS A FAN I AM DISGUSTED!

Portelance - I agree! Someone should make that call and soon. Bite the bullet in everyone's best interest. Never say never. Howard never let the horseman or his employer down in this disgraceful a fashion. Driving 4+ hours from Peterborough to arrive at this circus last night was no fun.

Rick

My name is Gord Brown, I drive on a regular basis at Rideau Carleton and will not hide anonymously with regards to my thoughts on the maintance or lack of it at Rideau. Last night's track was not only unfit for racing is was a disgusting mess that warrants attention. If anyone of you have driven a car in a severe dust storm that's what it was like when the wings of the starting gate folded. Zero visibility, bad footing a very scary and dangerous situation. Your horse must have felt like they were hitting a wall of stone/sand/frozen flying debris causing may of them to "stick-em" in.
I've mentioned on more than one occasion how Rideau could attempt to solve their track problems but it has fallen on deaf ears. One simple solution would be to take the screen attach it to the water truck and in that way the racing surface would be screened/rolled evenly before it freezes and at the same time keep the dust down.
It amazes me how full-time trainers with a stable of 20 to 30 head manage to keep their farm tracks in better condition than Rideau and alot of other racetracks who have trackman which is their only job. As to the amount of stonedust applied you should apply it gradually over a long period of time not as Rideau did, put about 6 months worth on in one shot. Looking after a racetrack should be and is a matter of common sense it is time racetracks started living up to their responsibilities in this area.
Gord Brown

SINCE HIPPO D'AYLMER IS CLOSED I THINK BOB ODWYER MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO GIVE A HAND TO GET THE TRACK BACK TO A SAFE NORMAL STATE. HE IS CERTAINLY THE BEST TRACK MAINTENANCE MAN IN THE AREA.

Funding is the issue here. A full-time/anytime track crew is required at Rideau if we wish to race all year (which is another issue for another day). A F/T / anytime track crew is there on the track when the weather requires the track to be maintained. You can't start preparing a track for a card of racing 45 min. before post. Where should/could we get the funding for such a crew. Should this $$$ not come from the grandstand side?!

the real problem is people like you that just like to complain, what about the safety of the horses and drivers ? Also, owners have huge invesments in their horses and don't want to see them get injured or go lame.

I hope that the track owner gets a fine for the track condition. It is clear that however is taking care of the track as no experience and don't know anything about horse racing with all the stonedusk that he but on the track it was so dangerous for the horses and drivers owners pay a small fortune for horse the way the track was yesterday a horse could easily injure himself. The caretaker of the track in my opinion should be fired he as no pride in preparing the track and that is no good for the industry.

I encourage people to complaint we need a new caretaker for this racetrack

Someone needs to make the call to former track manager and regular horseman Howard Portelance, who knows this track best summer and winter, before someone gets seriously hurt or worse.

G. Mitzlos

at rideau NOTHING is good because no one there now knows what they are doing, this should have never happened if the track super had a clue

It's not a matter of complaining....that track was simply unsafe!!! All the horseman want is a safe surface for the horses and drivers to compete on. I was not happy to spend the time and effort to get there last night, only to find out that the morning qualifiers were also a disaster - there was time to grade some off that surface during the afternoon, but nothing was done. I thought the ORC had clear definitions of requirements for track maintenance!

JEFF AU MEADOWLANDS, j ai vu l autre jour que meadowlands se cherchait quelqu un pour etre contremaitre de l entretient de la piste , il n ont plus a chercher , il en a un qui est pas battable ici a rideau, ses preuves sont faites. il te l organiserait ti la grande track un jour d HAMBLETONIAN, il pourrait peut etre faire monter ses clowns de rideau pour chauffer les tracteurs et l arrosoir.

horsemen never know what they want. Complain its hard in minus 25 weather and when stone is added they either complain of dust or that it is too deep.Seems that the problem is in goodtimes or bad horsemen always find something to complain about.