The steady beat of hooves and the exciting rush of horse racing is set to make its return to the Ormstown Fairgrounds after a 10-year absence with a stop on the Circuit Regional des Courses de Chevaux du Quebec (CRCCQ) on July 29.
The stop in Ormstown was confirmed at CRCCQ's Annual General Meeting on May 12 following a site visit last fall by organization directors. The quality of the half-mile track and the interest of volunteers in place to host the races greatly influenced the decision.
The last races were held in 2002 as part of the fair, however logistical problems between horses, people and parking complicated things, and with profits from betting down, the organizers opted to look for alternatives. The races themselves will not be the only attraction on Sunday.
Several other activities will be taking place on-site at the same time as the races. There will be a special area reserved for children, as well as 'grillades' for the family and a bar.
Also, pari-mutuel wagering on races will take place under the supervision of the Quebec Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Control Board and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency.
A 10-dash program has been drawn for this Sunday.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Ormstown, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Ormstown.
(CRCCQ)
Nice to see fair racing in
Nice to see fair racing in Quebec...but how about giving some life back to the Ontario Fair Circuit? The only fair left around here is Port Perry...what about the nice track up at the Markham Fairgrounds? what a waste of a nice track that's had racing every year at the fairgrounds since I was a kid until last year when they pulled the plug...we've lost Simcoe...Sutton..Paris..Orono..Ancaster & more over the years...I think someone should step up & save racing at the Markham fairgrounds...How is it that the PA fair circuit runs like every weekend in the summer with really good stake money on the line & we can't even put a 10 race card on in Markham? the purses were a joke...how about giving the owners..trainers something to want to race their horses here? how about some grassroots series at the fairgrounds? Anyone else want to see fair racing being brought back to Ontario?
Frank Charamonte