The National Capital Regional Harness Horse Association voted (on Wednesday, March 11) strongly in

favour to ratify a new five-year racing contract with Baymount Incorporated to race at the New Quinte Exhibition and Raceway.

Final vote count was 58 to 2 to accept the negotiated agreement.

"Belleville and area horsemen are very satisfied with this new race contract agreement
with the group at Baymount," said Russ Moulton, NCRHHA executive director. "We are hopeful that further discussions will lead to horse racing resuming this year at the old QER and that in 2010 we will be able to start racing at the new facility in Belleville."

As outlined in the new contract, race dates should increase over 30% in the first full year of racing at the new QER.

"We are very pleased with the results of last night's vote and look forward to working in partnership with the NCRHHA," said Graham Simmonds, president and CEO of Baymount. "This is a good agreement for everyone."

National Capital Regional Harness Horse Association's agreement with Baymount marks the second time they have signed a race contract representing horsemen in Ontario.

NCRHHA also represents horsemen at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

(NCRHHA)

In related news, Moulton has been quoted in an article by The Belleville Intelligencer about the contract signing.

“As a site holder, Baymount had obligations to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission to have certain things in place before any money comes their way from OLG. An agreement with the horsemen was one of those things,” Moulton told The Belleville Intelligencer yesterday.

Moulton went on to say that, “harness racing is making a comeback this summer after two years. That’s something positive in an economic climate that there’s zero positive right now.”

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

(With files from The Belleville Intelligencer)