Willmot, O'Donnell On Racing Contract

Published: July 2, 2009 10:35 am EDT

In an article on July 2 by the Guelph Mercury, Woodbine Entertainment Group CEO David Willmot has made it abundantly clear that WEG will not sign a contract with the Ontario Harness Horse Association

. Bill O'Donnell, president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, has also commented on the situation.

"I'm quite prepared to say that as things currently stand, the chances of WEG having a contract with (the harness horse association) is zero," Willmot was quoted as saying. "In fact, more than that, we have no intention of interacting with them or dealing with them."

The most recent spat between WEG and OHHA has been a well-documented affair, especially over the course of the last seven months. Horsemen have been racing at WEG tracks (Woodbine and Mohawk Racetrack) ever since the prior contract ended at the end of 2008.

O'Donnell, who took over the head role at OHHA for 99 days before stepping away from the organization due to philosophical differences, is now leading the fledgling COSA. The organization is gaining support among the local horsemen. The Guelph Mercury report states that COSA has already signed up at least 300 members.

"You have to work with these people (WEG)," the Guelph Mercury article quotes O'Donnell as saying. "Why would you want to fight? Just stand down there at Woodbine and Mohawk and look at the money they spend."

O'Donnell went on to say that the WEG tracks play a crucial role in the Canadian standardbred racing landscape. "If you don't preserve WEG, none of the rest of it means anything. [Harness racing in Canada] will go by the wayside, I think. WEG's our flagship."

(With files from the Guelph Mercury)

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