Adler Turns Up The Heat

Published: July 30, 2012 07:30 am EDT

Announcer Marty Adler has never been one to shy away from doing things slightly unconventionally. Over the past few months, Adler has targeted his unconventional attitude at the Ontario government and, more specifically, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.

In June at the Leamington Fair for its annual night of harness racing, Adler used his platform - and microphone - to discuss the plight of racing. Adler's methods landed him in hot water with the Ontario Racing Commission.

"About 700 people with their families attended for a night at the races. I assumed that most fair goers, like many in the province know very little about the sport," Adler remarked to Trot Insider. "OHHA's Brian Tropea was there handing out brochures, and activities for kids were featured. I felt that most would walk away, with the memory of a nice night out; but, I was thinking outside the box, and decided to tell the plight of racing in the province in between races.

"To make it so people would remember, I started telling Dwight Duncan jokes. In particular, Dwight Duncan doesn't get any respect jokes. Like 'Dwight Duncan gets no respect! When he used to play in the sandbox......the cat would cover HIM up!' After the 7th race, I even apologised if anyone was offended."

Adler's lines were nothing worse than what commentary goes on in TV shows such as CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes or the Rick Mercer Report. Nevertheless, one email complaint to the ORC forced an investigation into the longtime announcer's conduct. The investigation continues, as does Adler's fight.

On Friday, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan was at the grand opening of a park in his Windsor-Tecumseh riding. Adler used the opportunity to meet up with the Finance Minister and discuss the horse racing industry.

When Adler asked if Duncan had time for a question after the ceremonies, Duncan replied "not about horse racing." Adler kept pressing, even going so far as to say "I can get you 60,000 votes" to which Duncan came back with "there's not 60,000 in the industry." Duncan even asked Adler to turn off his camera.

Adler is not content to rest here.

"I am not done yet, and when the opportunity presents itself, I will continue to fight for this sport, for the jobs and the horsepeople in Ontario."

Adler's is one of several independent videos that have been posted on You Tube in an effort to bring racing's plight to the public. Everyone in the Ontario horse racing industry is urged to use their video cameras and social media accounts to get the message out to the public. You can tag your messages with "Ontario horse racing" to increase visibility.

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