Reports from Nova Scotia indicate life for the province's primary harness racing track for another six weeks and possibly longer.
An extension to the agreement between the racing industry and the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission was reached on Tuesday and will keep racing alive at Truro Raceway until at least September 2.
“This decision is based solely on, and is subject to, the commitment made by Steve Morton, president of the Truro Harness Horse Owners Association and the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association (NSHRIA) that the NSHRIA has monies available which it has now committed to providing to NSPEC to cover raceway wages and race purses expenses in the interim,” said Roger MacCallum, NSPEC facility manager, in a release.
Morton told the Truro Daily News that the Grand Circuit events scheduled for next weekend will proceed but that changes are needed with the NSPEC board to ensure a long-term future for harness racing in Truro. One of those changes includes how the revenues are split for simulcasting.
“The reality of the whole thing is, it’s the commission’s responsibility, along with ours, is that we have to refurnish the money that we’re using through the industry because we have to have money to go forward with for the rest of the year," said Morton. "The horsemen aren’t looking for a short-term commitment, we’re looking for a long-term commitment with the Exhibition, the horse side, the whole complex.”