The 10-day race meet at Hippodrome de Quebec in Quebec City doesn't begin for another month but already purses are being hiked
.
Instead of $200,000 or $20,000 per program, the total will be $400,000 or $40,000 per card, Quebec Jockey Club spokesman Joe Faucher said.
The increase has been made possible by strong internet betting from Quebec clients of HPI interactive, Faucher said. They've been betting more than $450,000 a week of late, well above projections.
"Overall, I'd say we've done pretty well for the first year," Faucher said. "We'll have gone from zero in March to about $500,000 in purses by the end of the year, regional circuit included. It's a good sign for next year."
The Hippodrome de Quebec meet will consist of two Saturday programs in September (September 18 and 25), and then Saturday and Sunday cards in October, with Quebec City's historic five-mile race scheduled for the final program on October 24. Qualifiers will be held September 7, 11 and 14, and before the Saturday programs.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
Although it's a long shot,
Although it's a long shot, hopefully this is a start of racing in Montreal, Three Rivers and Aylmer with the gambling money. It's funny that the Quebec government will spend 400 million dollars on an arena yet they won't give any vlt money to the horsemen. Pathetic.
Boom!!!! just like that! $
Boom!!!! just like that! $ 450,000 dollars being wagered in a week on horse racing,in
quebec? yes, the industry is alive and well. it will take time before we gain back what
was taken away from us.i'm also glad to see, that $450,000 dollars wasn't being bet
in a casino. keep our horse industry alive. bet on horses!! puppy.
Bonne chance guys, keep the
Bonne chance guys, keep the faith and working at it.
Great news! It will be a
Great news! It will be a lot a fun to be back in Quebec city for racing.
JF
to all involved.. please
to all involved..
please make sure video is up and free on line program avail. to HPI players in Ontario at the very least...im a big fan in TO of quebec racing and will bet...
but make it avail...and the program avail in plenty of time so i can handicap a bit
Nice job gang, we're still
Nice job gang, we're still alive . see you there
This is very encouraging
This is very encouraging news. It goes to show that the market for horse race wagering in Quebec is still alive and well. I certainly noticed that first-hand when I went to the Circuit Régional races in Bedford last month. I hope the Québec Jockey Club has great success at Hippodrome de Québec and that the races are well attended - and well bet!