The Quebec horsemen's association has scored a partial victory in court against racetrack operator

Attractions Hippiques.

In a ruling this week, Superior Court Judge Chantal Corriveau overruled trustee RSM Richter and agreed that the association had a legitimate claim against Attractions Hippiques for more than $666,000 in unpaid monthly dues for the tracks in Aylmer, Quebec City and Trois-Rivières, plus another $28,415 in contributions to the pension fund. Under the agreement between Attractions Hippiques and ATAQ for the presentation of live racing, the racetrack operator was obligated to pay $11,700 a month per track to the association. It paid only for Hippodrome de Montréal.

Judge Corriveau did not accept the association's claim to purse allotments not met in 2007 and 2008. Whether it ever receives the money will hinge on the outcome of creditor-protection proceedings now almost a year old. Attractions Hippiques has put its assets up for bids, with a sale - if any - to be decided by July 3rd.

(Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)