The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) released the following Notice to the Industry today regarding continuation of the driving pilot at Western Fair and Rideau Carleton Raceways

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ORC continues Pilot for new driving requirements at Rideau Carleton and Western Fair Raceways

In order to permit a continued assessment of the viability of a proposal that would require drivers to maintain a hand on each line for the entire race, the Director has issued a ruling that the Driving Pilot be continued for another two-week period at two additional tracks.

A sub-committee of the Standardbred Working Group recommended that the pilot be implemented at 1/2 mile and a 5/8 mile tracks. As a result, from Thursday, May 7, 2009 through to, and including Tuesday, May 19, 2009, all participants at Rideau Carleton (5/8 mile) and Western Fair (1/2 mile) Raceways shall be required to comply with the following temporary amendment to the Rules of Standardbred Racing:

Rule 22.23.01(d): a line is kept in each hand for the entire race;

As with the first phase of the pilot in place at Woodbine Racetrack from April 9 to 20, the purpose of this continuance is to allow the drivers an opportunity to provide input on how a new rule will be developed, which will make it a requirement that a line be kept in each hand for the entire mile. Currently the Ontario Rule 22.23.01 (d) requires a line in each hand only to the head of the stretch. This new short term change in the rules has been authorized through the issuance of Ruling SB48/2009 by Executive Director John Blakney.

Drivers and members of Standardbred Use of the Whip Working Group believed the Woodbine pilot provided valuable feedback.

Opportunity For More Input

Once again, fans, customers, industry participants and drivers are all encouraged to compare the product on the racetracks during this pilot and provide their feedback directly to the Judges and the Use of the Whip Working Group, as follows:

Contact the ORC Judges at Rideau Carleton directly at (613) 299-0876

Contact the ORC Judges at Western Fair directly at (519) 317-6735

Email: [email protected]

Fax: (416) 213-7827

At its last meeting in March the Working Group reached consensus that a line in each hand will provide the necessary restrictions to the use of the whip, making racing in Ontario more palatable to a wider general audience of new fans. Dependant upon the outcome of the pilot, new rules will be provided to the Board of the Ontario Racing Commission for its review and consideration.

Contact: John L. Blakney, Executive Director

(ORC)

To view the complete ORC news release, click here.