Trot Insider has spoken to Alan Schwartz, president of the Monticello Harness Horsemen's Association, regarding his group's decision to bar the Woodbine Entertainment Group's simulcasting signal from Monticello
Raceway due to WEG's ongoing dispute with the Ontario Harness Horse Association.
Schwartz told Trot Insider that his group did not have contact with OHHA prior to its decision to ask Monticello management to pull the signal -- a move that the association has the contractual right to do.
"The signal is still extracted, and has been for probably somewhere around six to eight weeks," Schwartz said. He mentioned that the move came after he learned of the WEG/OHHA dispute.
"After we made the decision to ask Monticello management to drop the signal, we received a letter of thanks from OHHA," Schwartz explained. "We wanted to show our support because we know that they (OHHA) would do it for us."
Darryl MacArthur This story
Darryl MacArthur
This story is inaccurate and I have posted a leter from our President Bill O'Donnell that should help explaine what the actual situation is.
February 27, 2009
To Whom it May Concern:
For those of you who read on the Standardbred Canada website that the
Monticello Harness Horsemen's Association has refused the Woodbine
Entertainment signal into Monticello Raceway, I want to explain the situation.
OHHA never asked for the signal to be turned off. The horsemen's association
took this initiative on its own. In fact, I sent a letter to all horsemen's associations on January 16, 2009, and specified that all we were asking for was
a letter of support. Contrary to Mr. Schwartz' comments, OHHA never sent a letter thanking him for taking this action.
I have contacted WEG and clarified the situation with both Mr. Nick Eaves and
Mr. Jamie Martin. I have also asked Mr. Schwartz to restore the signal at
Monticello Raceway. I am hopeful that the signal will be allowed back into
Monticello in the near future.
Yours truly,
Bill O'Donnell
President
OHHA really needs to re-look
OHHA really needs to re-look their strategy. To what end would you cut off your nose to spite your face? A letter of thanks for an action that effectively diminishes the WEG product and betting handle? In what world would that be considered a healthy partnership? If OHHA believes that their deal is so bad, they should stop racing and take a stand they can justify and defend. As it stands today they would like to hurt WEG and still have the benefit of racing income.
There really should be an IQ
There really should be an IQ test for anybody that wants to head an association. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face... When harness racing finally gurgles it's last gurgle, it should definitely be nominated for a Darwin Award.