On Wednesday (August 31) Cal Bricker, Senior Vice President of Horse Racing for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), presented to the Standardbred Canada Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting at SC's Mississauga office.

Chair Joanne Colville invited Bricker as a guest speaker to update the Board on the developments that OLG and the Horse Racing Integration team have been working on including; detailing their marketing and promotion efforts, and the important role that Standardbred Canada can make in communicating and representing its members in Ontario.

Bricker started his presentation to the Board by emphasizing the importance of focusing on offering a better product, increasing the wagering in Ontario, and the need to change how horse racing operates its business going forward.

For the past year, Bricker and his team have spent time meeting with stakeholders at yearling sales, racetracks and associations in Ontario. He believes that important strides and benchmarks have been made that will assist in building a strong foundation for a better and more improved horse racing industry and cited that recent trending suggests now is the time to buy a horse.

Colville was happy to hear the positive work that OLG has been doing in association with Ontario Racing and believes that the horse racing industry needs to start looking forward rather than looking behind. SC Board Director Ruleen Lilley commented after the meeting that Bricker's presentation was wonderfully encouraging and that our members need to hear the positive news that was shared with the board.

In closing, Bricker stated, "we need to have one voice and need to have Standardbred Canada at the table going forward representing its Ontario members."

Look for further details and more information from OLG, Ontario Racing and Standardbred Canada in the near future.