Harness racing from Grande Prairie will be beamed into Alberta's betting theatres starting next Wednesday.
After complaints from fans outside Grande Prairie who can't watch and wager on the only live harness racing in Alberta during the summer, Horse Racing Alberta has decided to pay the cost to have the races simulcasted to off-track betting locations throughout the province.
"Over the past three weeks I have heard from many fans and horse racing consumers. Marketing is about a product; currently, in my opinion, one of Alberta's products isn't available. This I believe is hurting the equity of the industry's brand THE HORSES," said HRA marketing manager Jeff Robillard.
"Therefore, an effort has been made to restore the signal at the expense of the industry's marketing budget. I take full responsibility for this decision."
The Grande Prairie meet is slated to run until September 28.
(HRA)