Like any horseman that has travelled with a top grand circuit performer, trainer Greg Peck has seen quite a bit in terms of what different North American harness racing jurisdictions have to offer. And for Peck’s dollar, Ontario is where it’s at.
In an article by The Hamilton Spectator, Peck said that even though Ontario is years removed from the Slots at Racetracks program, the province’s racing opportunities are very plentiful.
"I came to Ontario with a great deal of confidence in the racing program here even though the government did away with the slot machine revenue sharing component," Peck said.
"Yes, the prize money is not what it was, but compare the jurisdiction with Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The government does subsidize now but it is not an insignificant amount and it has two of the very best racing surfaces in all of North America — Mohawk and Woodbine Racetracks. These are (good) tracks … to race young horses on, and that matters."
The horse that took Peck to the top of the mountain was the great Muscle Hill, the magnificent son of Muscle Yankee that won 20 of 21 career races, over $3.3 million in purse earnings and every major stakes dance that the sport could throw his way.
Now, Peck is bringing Merchandiser, a son of Muscle Hill, to the Ontario breeding market, and he will stand at Stonewater Farms in Ancaster for the 2017 season.
"While Merchandiser is not his father,” Peck said, “he did sell for $100,000 as a yearling, which in itself says he was and is a good looking animal. People like the maternal side of the pedigree and Ontario needed this bloodline. We've made him affordable and believe he will be a very good addition to the breed here. So far the response to his $4,000 fee has been very encouraging."
Peck recently reiterated his position in regard to the Ontario racing industry. In an interview on ‘It's Post Time’ on WDBF Radio in Florida, Peck said after living and racing in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania for 25 years, he returned to his native country and decided to stand Merchandiser because of the exciting Ontario racing scene.
"Frankly, Ontario is Number One,” he said. “It's unfortunate what's happened to the Meadowlands (the Meadowlands Racetrack). Ontario has a supportive government that's about to give racing $100 million a year for the next 30 years (Standardbred and Thoroughbred). We have big tracks Woodbine and Mohawk The business has changed and Ontario is changing for the better and the bettor."
(With files from The Hamilton Spectator and Greg Peck)
