Just 10 Days For Quebec In 2010

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Published: April 10, 2010 11:24 am EDT

It now appears that 10 days of fair racing in Ayer's Cliff will be the only live harness racing in Quebec

this year.

The Quebec Jockey Club hoped to also present 50 live cards at the former training centre in St. Basile le Grand, but spokesman Joe Faucher said this week existing regulations and paperwork have made that impossible. While the required changes are in the works, they're still probably five months away, he said.

The hope now is to have everything set and a comprehensive program in place for 2011, and to get betting back at Quebec's teletheatres by fall.

The good news, Faucher said, is that the Quebec government's recent budget included a reduction in the provincial tax on parimutuel bets. The provincial tax on single-horse bets and exotics is now 2.5 per cent, down from 4 and 10 per cent, respectively. Quebec used to collect the tax and rebate it back to former racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques. Now, most of the money is staying in the hands of bettors.

It's hoped that will encourage a larger handle for the internet betting which resumed in the province last month through a partnership between the Quebec Jockey Club and Woodbine Entertainment Group's HorsePlayer Interactive site. To date, more than 700 accounts have been opened, Faucher said.

(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)

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