The Board of Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has made its decision on the applicants invited to move forward into the Request For Proposal phase for the construction and operation of a horse racing facility in the Edmonton area.

"After reviewing the external committee's in-depth review and recommendations of the seven Expressions Of Interests to construct, own and operate a horse racing facility in or near the Edmonton area, the Board of Horse Racing Alberta has invited seven applicants to move forward into the Request For Proposal phase," stated a HRA release issued Monday.

The deadline for Request For Proposal submissions will be Monday, August 8, 2016.

The initial call posted at the end of April received seven Expressions of Interest, prompted by the announcement in February that Northlands would not be hosting live horse racing past 2016.