Despite the pandemic effects on track attendance, Hanover Raceway reported its second most successful wagering season in the last 30 years.
Steve Fitzsimmons, now in his second year as general manager, reported Hanover Raceway had a 15.28 per cent increase in its Canadian handle this season, which featured harness racing on Saturdays from June 12 to September 18.
“I think people have responded to the quality of our product,” Fitzsimmons was quoted as saying in an article by the Hanover Post. “When you put on a good show, especially one people can watch and wager from home, they give it more time, and we have a very competitive group of horses that race here week in and week out, and when we can showcase them in the best light possible, people enjoy that.
“And we make it fun. We have contests. We just have fun. We don’t take ourselves seriously. At the end of the day, we’re entertainment. We want people to love watching our product and enjoy it. It’s like a three-hour TV show. That’s what our goal is. Mission accomplished. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve done.”
Fitzsimmons said attendance for its 15-week season peaked at 500 fans on the September 18 finale with an Owen Riegling concert following the races and a charity barbecue that raised $1,000 for the Hanover Public Library. On average, an enthusiastic group of 300 to 400 people attended each week.
“Next year, hopefully whoever would like to come feels comfortable to come," he said. "I think this year there [were] definitely people who didn’t feel right about it yet, for whatever their reasons, but we respect their reasons and we’re glad they were able to support us from home or in person.”
Fitzsimmons also discussed the season's highlights including the OLG Ontario Women’s Driving Championship as well as the Dream Of Glory and Balanced Image Trot.
To read The Post article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from The Post)