Grand River Raceway General Manager Dr. Ted Clarke has been quoted as saying that he is happy that the Elora, Ont. track saw its handle rise 11.5 per cent in 2013. Although, he cautioned that the track, and Ontario racing overall, has a lot of work to do and cannot rest on its laurels.
An article by The Guelph Mercury has quoted Dr. Clarke as saying, "We can be happy with that result (Grand River’s increased handle), but you have to remember that for the industry that's a small amount compared to the total (industry) wager a year ago."
The report has cited Dr. Clarke as saying that he suspects that the lowering of takeout rates and running online handicapping contests had a positive effect on the track’s handle.
The report also features comments by Dr. Clarke in regard to whether his track can make ‘a solid business decision’ based off of the five-year plan that was recently announced by the Ontario Government.
"At this point there isn't enough clarity of how we're going to function to be able to say that,” Dr. Clarke said. “There are possibilities that exist that if they all come to fruition will make it possible to have a potentially viable circumstance. But at this point it isn't to the stage where I can say we've got it all down pat."
Dr. Clarke was also quoted as saying that Grand River Raceway will have to make adjustments in order to take positive steps toward the future.
(With files from The Guelph Mercury)
Excellent and nice to see the
Excellent and nice to see the increase and with further help from the horsemen to have competitive full fields and honest racing will increase the handle even more.
Too bad that the horseman east of the 400, especially the Peterborough area, did not have a track that was operating allowing them to also increase the handle, rather than being forced to get rid of their horses or having to truck a great distance.
Keep up the good work that you are doing and lets hope the horsemen chip in also as they are a huge part and must do further work.