The Ontario Harness Horse Association has met with senior members of Great Canadian Gaming regarding their proposed racing schedule for 2010
. Great Canadian has indicated their application for next year will be significantly different than the current schedule.
The proposal would see both facilities offering six months of racing each in a circuit format. For 2010 Great Canadian has indicated they are applying to offer four days of racing per week and a total of 200 days with the intent to apply for three days a week in 2011 for a total of 160 days. For 2009 Great Canadian Gaming tracks are approved for 333 days of racing.
“This proposal is not in keeping with the intent of the slot initiative in Ontario,” stated OHHA President Darryl MacArthur. “Slots were introduced to enhance live racing and subsequently support rural and agriculture Ontario. Only live race days pay for training bills, salaries, and mortgages and when race days are cut the opportunity for horse people to generate revenue go with them.”
The proposal would eliminate nearly 10 per cent of Ontario’s live Standardbred race dates and over 12,000 individual starts for 2010 with an additional 40 days removed in 2011.
Information meetings will be announced shortly in the Flamboro and Georgian districts. OHHA has requested management of Great Canadian Gaming attend those meetings to present their proposal.
For further information please contact Darryl MacArthur at 1-866-774-6442 (toll free) or 905-854-6442, ext. 226, or by email: [email protected].
(OHHA)