While it appeared that Rideau Carleton Raceway was set to scale back to once-a-week racing, an announcement sent out by track officials provides good news for horsemen in the Ottawa area.
On Saturday, RCR announced that Thursday night racing will continue through the end of the year. The final Thursday night card of live harness racing was originally slated as last Thursday but a release from the track states that "the Ontario Racing Commission, the regulatory body for horse racing in the province, gave permission to the Gloucester oval to resume Thursday night racing."
Rideau calls this decision "a move in the right direction and a promising sign that the provincial government is sincere in its desire to maintain a vibrant, sustainable harness racing industry."
The condition sheet for Thursday's card is available here.
On Monday, September 23, the Ontario Racing Commission sent out a release which included its Notice to the Industry and Notice of Decision regarding RCR. The links to each document can be accessed below.
Notice to the Industry - ORC issues Notice of Decision to Rideau Carleton Raceway on additional dates
On September 21, 2013, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) issued a Notice of Decision to Rideau Carleton Raceway (RCR) in which the director approved the application for 14 additional Signature race dates.
On September 20, 2013, RCR filed an application for 14 additional Signature race dates on Thursdays beginning September 26 and running through December 26.
After considering the submissions and applying the principles of the Ontario Racing Program, the director made the decision to approve their application. The reasons, included in the Notice of Decision, reference the positive impact on customer wagering, adequate horse supply, and the racetrack operator’s willingness to fund purses and bear the additional operating costs.
Please be advised that any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the director’s decision to the commission.
To view the ORC’s Notice to the Industry, click here.
To view the ORC’s Notice of Decision, click here.
The public should be aware of
The public should be aware of one thing in regards to this matter, that is, as far as I am aware, the government had nothing to do with this turn of events (for lack of a better term). These extra dates are made possible by the ownership group of Rideau Carleton Raceway. Great news indeed for local horsepeople.
good news for a change would
good news for a change
would be interesting to know what changed since the long notice of decision I read to refuse Thursday racing just a few days ago,
Great news! This is a move in
Great news! This is a move in the right direction however, I hope and pray that the Government Of The Day is not just doing this to protect themselves should an election call be made in the near future.