The Ontario Racing Commission has ruled on the appeal from Western Fair Raceway regarding the commission's denial to allow the track to cancel five live race dates.
The dates that Western Fair had applied to drop were October 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 20, 2008. Today's ORC release states that Western Fair had cited a decrease in customer demand as the reason for applying to drop the dates.
On September 9, 2008, an ORC panel consisting of chair Rod Seiling and commissioners Pam Frostad and David Gorman convened to hear the appeal. Maureen Harquail appeared as counsel for the administration. Ian Fleming and Hugh Mitchell appeared on behalf of Western Fair Raceway. John Walzak and Brian Tropea appeared on behalf of the Ontario Harness Horse Association.
Upon hearing the evidence of Wendy Hoogeveen and upon reviewing the written submissions filed and upon reviewing the evidence and hearing the submissions of counsel for the administration, Western Fair Raceway and the Ontario Harness Horse Association, the panel denied the appeal.
The panel's reasons for decision can be read by clicking here.
(With files from the ORC)