On Monday, September 19, the Ontario Racing Program issued a PR story in regard to the thriving of Hanover Raceway after having utilized the Ontario Racing Program’s support for special events and added-money racing
.
The ORP story about Hanover Raceway and the ORP's supports for special events and added-money racing appears below in its entirety.
Hanover Raceway is one of the best examples of a community-based racing operation in Ontario, working very successfully to attract local fans and create a unique customer experience. With the implementation of the Ontario Racing Program (the Program), Hanover made a considerable effort to adapt to the changes introduced by the Program. While its initial application to raise its purse money to Signature racing was declined by the Implementation and Monitoring (IM) Group, by the mid-point of its racing season, Hanover had taken full advantage of the Program’s support for Special Events and Added-Money racing.
Implementation of the Program also meant good news for horsepeople, improving their racing opportunities and earnings. An analysis of the top 15 trainers of 2011 shows they raced more often and earned more money than in 2010.
At Hanover, the top 15 trainers in 2011 earned $491,162 in 588 starts in overnight races, resulting in average earnings per start of $835. Their similar statistics from 2010 show earnings of $294,987 in 375 starts, with an average per start of $786.
By taking advantage of the Special events and added money options, Hanover was able to distribute the same amount of purses as 2010, while working within the Grassroots racing purse classification (min $40,000 and max $50,000). Statistics show that in 2011, not including OSS events, Hanover distributed $2,083,423 in purses, compared to $2,098,500 in 2010.
“The type of facility and type of racing offered makes Hanover perfect for Grassroots racing cards,” said Mike Wilson, a spokesperson for the IM Group. “We were very pleased with how Hanover used the Special Event option to increase purses and interest in racing, particularly the Schooling Races and Future Stars added-money events.”
At the start of the season, Hanover had successfully applied for nine special event cards. Then in June of this year, Hanover received approval from the IM Group for the use of additional purse money for a number of schooling races ($2,000 per race) to take place prior to the regular race card.
“The framework for the Ontario Racing Program recognizes that community racetracks are a good place to encourage the training and developing of racehorses. These non-betting events gave these young horses the opportunity to ‘learn’ their craft, in real racing situations, without pari-mutuel betting taking place,” said Wilson.
The schooling races were held in late June in advance of the regular race cards, with very successful results. It gave the track and fans a unique opportunity to highlight the development of these young horses as their careers move into pari-mutuel races.
In July, Hanover worked with the IM Group and received approval for two new added-money events -- Future Stars Pace for two-year-old Ontario Sired Colts and Geldings; and the Future Stars Pace for two-year-old Ontario Sired Fillies. Eliminations featured purses of $8,000 each, and finals had $20,000 added. There was considerable interest and excitement in both series, particularly the Colts and Gelding final.
“We give Hanover every credit for its efforts to adapt to this provincial approach to horse racing,” said Wilson. “Each move a track makes needs to reflect the needs of other racetracks in the region. That is the focus of the Ontario Racing Program. For example, Hanover is not isolated within its region during its racing meet, there is a natural interaction between Grand River, Clinton and Woodstock Raceways.”
Wilson pointed out that one of the goals of the Program is to allow for more balanced, competitive racing conditions. “That means you could have a better chance to earn purse money in your class of racing – whether it be Grassroots or Signature.”
The Ontario Racing Program marks a significant moment for racing. It represents a commitment to live horse racing in Ontario within a framework that has a clear goal: to stabilize the industry and create more Ontario opportunities in racing. The focus of the Program goes beyond the needs of ‘just one local racetrack’ or ‘just one local horseperson.’
The mandate of the IM Group is to implement and monitor the elements of the Ontario Racing Program and to ensure the Program is flexible enough to change, where the need for change is demonstrated and determined to be warranted.