Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has announced a reduction in 2009 race dates as well as the Working Committee's proposed race days for the 2010, live horse racing schedule
.
The 2009 thoroughbred meet at Northlands Park will be reduced by seven live race days (October 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, & 25).
In addition, the following four standardbred live race days (November 18, December 23, 27, 30)
will be cancelled from the upcoming Fall/Winter meet at Northlands Park. This reduction plus the previous lost three days of racing due to weather represents a reduction of seven live standardbred race days.
Shirley McClellan, Chair of Horse Racing Alberta stressed the need for this decision, “This decision is about fiscal responsibility of our industry, this is the financial reality of our industry at the present time.”
For 2010, Northlands Park in Edmonton would be awarded a total of 85 A thoroughbred days from May 15, to October 10, 2010. Northlands Park would also be awarded a total of 47 A standardbred days from February 12, to April 17, and November 19, to December 19, 2010.
Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie would be awarded a total of 25 B days of harness racing from September 3, to October 23, 2010. The runners at Evergreen Park would race a total of 25 days from July 2, to August 21, 2010.
Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge would be awarded a total of 35 days of runners from May 28, to June 27, and from September 3, to October 11, 2010.
Lacombe's Alberta Downs would offer 50 A standardbred days of racing from May 8, to August 29, 2010.
Millarville would continue with their popular Canada Day races on July 1st.
Shirley McClellan, Chair of Horse Racing Alberta stated, "There are many challenges facing the horse racing and breeding industry in Alberta. The proposed 2010 race schedule is structured to address the unique needs of all breeds and tracks in these difficult economic times."
Mrs. McClellan also stressed, "The Industry Working Committee consulted and worked closely with all stakeholders in the formation of this schedule. The intent is that daily purse monies will be similar to 2009 purse structure keeping the economic challenges in mind. Next steps will be the formal negotiation between the Horsemen's Associations with the tracks leading to a finalized schedule for approval by HRA."
In 2008, HRA assigned the standardbreds 96 days of A racing and 14 days of B racing.
Horse Racing Alberta is the private, not-for-profit organization mandated to govern, direct, control, regulate, market and promote the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.
(with files from Canada NewsWire and thehorses.com/HRA)
We haven't seen any updates
We haven't seen any updates on Balzac or is the group with the license continuing to milk the Alberta horsemen and women. This is the biggest case of the blind leading the blind and misinformation that could possibly occur. Hold this group responsible or TURF them. When will Mister Klein be joining the committee or has that gone by the wayside as well? Wouldn't it be nice if the Alberta horse people could actually race in Alberta instead of having the threat of having to race in Ontario or B.C. Sorry if progress is being made, but according to the lack of updates or communication it sure doesn't seem that way!