The Ontario Racing Commission today released its Director's decision in regard to the 2011 Ontario Racing Program. It also released an overall 2011 race-date calendar, and individual race-date calendars
for the province's racing regions.
The commission released the information today via two notices: a Notice to the Industry and a Notice of Decision.
The number of 2011 race dates for Ontario's standardbred racetracks appear below.
- Clinton - 20
- Dresden - 23
- Flamboro Downs - 199
- Georgian Downs - 105
- Grand River - 69
- Hanover - 32
- Hiawatha Horse Park - 47
- Kawartha Downs - 96
- Mohawk - 98
- Rideau Carleton - 158
- Sudbury Downs - 65
- Windsor - 92
- Western Fair - 121
- Woodbine - 129
- Woodstock - 23
- Total Number of Dates - 1,277
Listed below are the contents of the Notice to the Industry, followed by the Notice of Decision (for complete information, please make sure to click the link provided in the Notice of Decision to view the ORC's Reasons for Decision).
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has released the Director’s Decision on the 2011 Ontario Racing Program. Please refer to the Notice of Decision memo attached, which includes the Director’s Reasons for Decision.
The decision on how racing will be allocated in 2011 was based on the framework for race date allocation that was approved by the ORC Board at its September 2010. That framework emerged from the input and consultations received from the racing community over the course of the past 12 months. All four horse people associations and representatives of the racetracks participated in these open, transparent discussions.
For many, the framework will seem comfortable and familiar, as in many ways it returns racing to some of its long time, historical roots. It introduces a ‘provincial and regional approach’ to racing, which moves away from the ‘individual racetrack’ focus of recent years. Key elements of the framework are clear obligations and responsibilities for participants, including accountability, and a commitment to live racing and its infrastructure.
As a first step, 2011 will be a transition year for the framework, which will be closely monitored and adjustments considered. Some changes will be introduced at the start of the 2011 season. Other modifications and enhancements to racing will evolve on a phased-in basis. This will give people in racing ample time to adjust and take advantage of these improvements.
A number of people contributed a considerable amount of time to the consultation and feedback in approximately twenty (25) different working sessions. The ORC would like to thank these individuals and organizations for their efforts on behalf of the racing community.
The ORC has confirmed that the process of consultation and collaboration with the racing industry – and the open communication – will continue.
To provide more information, the following is available for viewing:
• Ontario Racing Program - calendar
• Regional calendars
• Individual Standardbred racetracks calendars
• Graphic illustration - Standardbred Regional Circuits
As noted in the Decision document, any aggrieved party has the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission.
Please note that the hearing dates have been scheduled for December 16, 2010 and January 25, 2011.
Any Notice of Appeal must be filed no later than noon on December 13, 2010.
John L. Blakney
Executive Director
(To view a copy of the Notice to the Industry, click here)
This Notice of Decision on the applications for 2011 race dates is being issued jointly due to the interdependent nature of the application of the Ontario Racing Program.
On November 19, 2010 applications for 2011 race dates were received. These applications were circulated as part of the public input process and comments were received.
The applications were considered in the context of the framework for race date allocation that was approved by the Board of the Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting held on September 9, 2010.
After considering the applications and the various submissions received, and following a year-long consultation process and participation from racetracks and all horse people associations, the Director approves the Ontario Racing Program for 2011 comprised of
1,562 race dates to be allocated as follows:
Thoroughbred
Fort Erie - 78
Woodbine - 167
Quarter Horse
Ajax - 40
Standardbred
Clinton - 20
Dresden - 23
Flamboro Downs - 199
Georgian Downs - 105
Grand River - 69
Hanover - 32
Hiawatha Horse Park - 47
Kawartha Downs - 96
Mohawk - 98
Rideau Carleton - 158
Sudbury Downs - 65
Windsor - 92
Western Fair - 121
Woodbine - 129
Woodstock - 23
All applications for simulcasting are approved as submitted.
Copies of the calendars for the Ontario Racing Program, Regional Circuit calendars, as well as calendars for the respective racetracks are attached.
Please be advised that you or any other aggrieved party have the right to appeal the Director’s decision to the Commission. Please note that the hearing dates have been scheduled for December 16, 2010 and January 25, 2011. Any Notice of Appeal must be filed no later than noon on December 13, 2010.
Sincerely,
John L. Blakney
Executive Director
* (To view the Reasons For Decision, view the official ORC release by clicking here)
To view the 2011 Ontario Racing Programs, by region, click the corresponding links which appear below.
- Central East Region
- Central West Region
- Eastern Region
- Western Region
- Northern Region
- Woodbine Entertainment Group
To view the 2011 Ontario Racing Program Calendar (all standardbred circuits), click here.
The idea of moving Woodstock
The idea of moving Woodstock to Friday is a terrible decision.
During the summer I go to Woodstock, Clinton, Dresden, Flamboro and Hiawatha. I read the reasoning that it conflicts with the other tracks but Woodstock is not simulcast. Woodstock already has a weak on track attendence on Saturday afternoon but it is definately the day which you can build on. Example is when they have breast cancer awareness day and OSS days there are alot more people. This was the same at Dresden with the OSS and they are not all horsepeople.
I am right at ground level some don't know the difference between place and show. The week that I am off work during the summer I will also go to the Tuesday card at Woodstock and there is no one there even when there is an OSS event I am the only horse nut driving in from London to watch. I am strictly a fan. I don't own a horse or have any relative training or driving. Why can't some, just a little of the extra money that Woodstock generates be put towards a few money added events. They don't have to be for super horses, events for the cheap claimer are exciting but do something.
What happened to the Oxford county stakes from two years back? Like this ORC report everything at Woodstock as well as Dresden (Clinton and Hiawatha are more fan friendly, London is also good)everything is so mechanical. From the minute you walk in the door the atmosphere is "o.k. horsepeople lets get these races over so that we can go home". Moving Woodstock to Friday is to allow horsepeople more oportunities to race in front of an empty crowd. Building up a few Saturday cards may get people back. Mohawk is down the highway and Jody Jamieson sometimes goes to race which is exciting, if Frank Salive comes back there is another bonus. If it is an OSS day some of the other Toronto notables do come down to race.
I know when the fall fair is on in London, there are several Londoners in Woodstock. Who is going to go Friday at 4PM? Some of us have to work for a living if you want us to bet on the races.