The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association has issued the following response to the news release of August 13, 2010 from Derek Sturko, Chair, BC Horse Racing Industry Management Committee
.
The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association was both shocked and dismayed by the news release of August 13, 2010 from the British Columbia Horse Racing Industry Management Committee.
As the representative organization for the Standardbred industry in Alberta we must comment on the manner and method of the news release and the implications for Standardbred racing in British Columbia. The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association has had no discussions with either the Chair of the BC committee, the BC committee, the British Columbia Standardbred Association or Horse Racing Alberta on the idea of circuit racing in two locations separated by 1300 kilometers of road.
As a Board Member of Horse Racing Alberta I can also unequivocally state that the notion of a split province Standardbred meet has never been formally discussed at a Board level within Horse Racing Alberta and that any such proposal would be vigorously opposed by the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association.
As stated in an email last night to Minister Coleman of the Government of British Columbia, "My suggestion is that the HBPA consider condensed Thoroughbred racing days in British Columbia and Alberta and adopt the type of two ring circus that you suggest for our owners, trainers and drivers. After all, if it about costs let's look at the whole picture rather than the biased one that your committee seems to favour."
We intend to work closely with our fellow Standardbred owners, breeders and backstretch community in British Columbia to right what we view as a wrong minded, short sighted decision by BC Gaming and the Government of British Columbia to throw Standardbred racing in British Columbia to the wolves. The time has come to hold accountable those who in their blind rush towards a future of mind numbing, addictive, repetitive online gaming are sacrificing a labour intensive, green industry that has traditionally provided entertainment, employment and revenue for generations in British Columbia.
We urge Standardbred Canada and other representative Standardbred organizations in Canada to join us.
William Andrew
President
Alberta Standardbred Horse Association
Here is Derek Sturkos email
Here is Derek Sturkos email address [email protected]
Thank you Bill Andrew for
Thank you Bill Andrew for stepping up on our behalf out here in BC and point out how we are yet again getting the short end of the stick. Its tough to believe that it has come down to this what has been announced here in the last while and even sadder to think about what comes next. Its pathetic to me that the government is listening more to a racing body like Great Canadian than to its own people. Death is coming fast, there is a bright light ahead.
Well written letter Bill.
Well written letter Bill. Thank you for your honesty and clearing up alot of backstretch rumours. Wish people would get the facts straight before they fly of the handle. We need to work together during these hard times, not battle against one another.
as pointed out on the story
as pointed out on the story about the destruction of Fraser Downs......the BC horseman are getting shafted: who exactly will be hosting this 4 month meet proposed to take place in Alberta?
Quebec is long gone ....how long does anyone honestly think tracks like Dresden, Hanover, Woodstock, Kawartha Downs, Sudbury etc will be allowed to continue when the betting handle is over 70% less than the purses offered ......if Standardbred Canada and horsemen in Ontario don't back up horsemen out west you'll see the same results here in Ontario, Quebec was left to die and 10 years from now you'll be lucky to race at any more than three tracks in Ontario if you don't take a stand ....Woodbine, Mohawk, Georgian Downs ....think about how competitive that will be.....
Thank you Bill for telling
Thank you Bill for telling us the truth about what is going on! All the best Wayne Isbister
William Andrew you have put
William Andrew you have put into words what the Standardbred horsemen in B.C. feel. At last someone is calling a spade a spade.The Fraser Downs horsemen have neither the desire or resources to race half a year in Alberta.In Ontario when Great Canadian wanted to cut back at Flamboro and Georgian Downs the Government didn't let them do it.It would seem as if the Gaming Branch in B.C. is cooperating with Great Canadian in as you put it Andrew, throwing Standardbred racing to the wolves.It seems to me the Industry Management Committee neither understands racing or cares for it
In reply to William Andrew you have put by david woolley
Send a e-mail to the guy
Send a e-mail to the guy that runs Racing in BC...He has held other portfolios in the BC GOV'T.
[email protected]