The Director of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has released its notice of the decision relating to applications received seeking variances to the assigned dates for November and December 2013.
Applications were received from Western Fair Association (WFA) for The Raceway at Western Fair (Western Fair) and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) with respect to Flamboro Downs (Flamboro).
On August 30, 2013, WFA submitted an application to vary their approved race date schedule during the months of September and December 2013. At that time, the variance for the September dates was approved; however, no decision was made regarding the December request. This decision addresses the three additional Saturday dates (December 7, 14 and 21) applied for by WFA.
In September, GCGC applied for a variance to the approved 2013 Flamboro race date schedule for the months of November and December. Specifically, GCGC applied for the addition of eight Friday race cards (November 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6, 13, 20, 27) with a post time of 6 p.m.
In October of 2013, both GCGC and WFA submitted their intentions with respect to racing in the first quarter of the year, specifically January through March 2014. The application for Flamboro was to remain a four day a week schedule, but to shift from Fridays to Thursdays. WFA submitted that it was their intention and application to race the same schedule as 2013, at four days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
After having reviewed the submissions received, having reviewed the position of the horsepeople who race at Western Fair and Flamboro as represented by the Ontario Harness Horse Association, having received the recommendation from the Implementation and Monitoring Group, and having determined that the application is consistent with the principles of the Ontario Racing Program, the Director’s
decisions on the applications areas follows:
1) The application for eight additional race dates in November and December is varied. The Director approves Flamboro Downs for six additional Thursdays, starting November 14 through December 19, 2013 with a post time of 6 p.m. This change to the approved 2013 race date schedule for Flamboro Downs will be reflected in GCGC’s 2013 licence.
2) GCGC’s application to vary its 2014 calendar for January through March is conditionally approved. The Director conditionally approves Flamboro Downs for a schedule of four days a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, subject to GCGC applying for and receiving a licence to operate a racetrack for Flamboro Downs for 2014. The Director provides notice that he reserves the right to vary or reconsider the cancellation of the said 2014 race dates, if future application of the ORP or other changing circumstances warrant.
3) WFA’s application for three Saturdays in December is denied.
4) WFA’s application to continue the same schedule of four days a week from January through March 2014 is varied. The schedule of Mondays (4:05), Tuesdays (4:05) and Fridays (7:05) are conditionally approved, subject to WFA applying for and receiving a licence to operate a racetrack for Western Fair for 2014. The Director does not approve Wednesdays at this time. The Director provides notice that he reserves the right to vary or reconsider the cancellation of the said 2014 race dates, if future application of the ORP or other changing circumstances warrant.
The reasons for these decisions are attached.
Approval of 2014 race date schedules for all racetracks remains subject to the issuance of a racetrack licence including all terms and conditions of licensing. However, the Director accepts the stated intentions of both racetrack operators for the period January through March 2014 and acknowledges the variance to the 2014 race date schedule for each track to reflect the stated intentions for purposes of Policy Directive 3 - 2007.
It should also be noted that despite government’s announcement on October 11, 2013 of “Ontario’s Five - Year Horse Racing Partnership,” the new responsibilities related to the determination of race dates will be implemented by April 1, 2014 and therefore is not applicable to this decision regarding these requests for variance of race date schedules.
Please be advised that any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission.
To view the Flamboro racing calendars, click on the following links: 2013 / 2014
To view the Western Fair racing calendars, click on the following links: 2013 / 2014
(With files from ORC)
doesn't look like they are
doesn't look like they are leaving many race dates for Georgian. 116 dates for Flamboro and maybe 40 for Georgian Downs which has a 5/8 mile track, nicer facility, more profitable slot area. Please, someone explain that to me.