Late Tuesday afternoon, the Director of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) announced the approval of additional Signature race dates for Grand River Raceway and for The Raceway at Western Fair District.
The approvals were granted following applications by these racing associations to race in September.
Western Fair will start its fall meet Saturday, September 21, adding five race days to its schedule, and Grand River will race four Sundays in September starting Sunday, September 8.
The Director based the decisions on the deficiency of Signature racing created by the cancellation of September dates at Georgian Downs. The approvals are conditional on confirmation of funding to support track operating expenses.
Western Fair Association
On August 30, 2013 the ORC received an application from Western Fair to vary its approved 2013 Race Date Schedule. The application was to add five Signature cards of racing in September and three Signature cards of racing in December.
Specifically:
- Saturday, September 21 (7:05 p.m. post)
- Monday, September 23 (4:05 p.m. post)
- Tuesday, September 24 (4:05 p.m. post)
- Saturday, September 28 (7:05 p.m. post)
- Monday, September 30 (4:05 p.m. post)
The application for the additional December dates will be considered at a later date.
Grand River Raceway
On August 30, 2013, the ORC received an application from Grand River to vary its approved 2013 Race Date Schedule. The application was to add four Signature cards of racing (all with a post time of 6:00 p.m.) in September.
Specifically:
- Sunday, September 8
- Sunday, September 15
- Sunday, September 22
- Sunday, September 29
Grand River has confirmed operating funding is now in place, and therefore the condition of approval is considered satisfied.
The Director gives notice that the Administration of the ORC will work with Western Fair and Grand River management to ensure adequate purse funds are available for these additional nine Signature race dates. Any required redistribution of purse will be addressed under a separate Notice of Decision.
Please be advised that any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission.
(ORC)
The tracks that were awarded
The tracks that were awarded these dates.... generate more than double the purses via wagers, it only stands to reason that is where the dates should go.
The tracks that pull their weight in wagering (slot money is needed but less of it) should be getting the dates.
Im cool with the choices.
While I applaud some of the
While I applaud some of the tracks for stepping up and offering races, this is none the less asinine.
Any one east of the 400, sell your horse unless you can race at Woodbine, because you don't count, unless you live in Ottawa.
This is good news for western
This is good news for western Ontario- what about those east of the 400 ????
I do not understand this mixed up concept of some tracks get more money and others don't. Georgian had a HUGE surplus at the end of the year.
So much for fairness...
So much for 5/8 mile racing....