Diane Carlton

Thoroughbred trainer William Smith appealed a 45-day suspension and $1,000 fine imposed after a horse he trained tested positive for methocarbamol.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal but varied the penalty, reducing the suspension to 20 days while maintaining the $1,000 fine.

The applicant requested a hearing before the Ontario Racing Commission regarding the Deputy Director's proposed order to refuse to issue him a jockey licence.

The applicant failed to attend the hearing.

Upon hearing testimony and submissions from the Administration, the Commission confirmed the Deputy Director's proposed order.

Thoroughbred trainer Robert King, Jr. appealed the Stewards' decision to deny his protest of the claim of the horse 'MARTRINA' from a race at Fort Erie.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony and submissions, and dismissed the appeal, providing oral reasons on the record.

Fort Erie Racetrack applied for teletheatre licences in several locations.

The application for a location in St. Catharines was deferred pending input from the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) and further documentation.

OHHA subsequently advised it did not support the application but provided no reasons.

The Ontario Racing Commission noted that Flamboro Downs currently operates a teletheatre in St. Catharines, but found that the population of 130,000 could support two teletheatres.

The Commission approved the application, ruling that a licence would be issued once the applicant provided information on the proposed proprietor and the Administration was satisfied the application was complete.

A hearing was convened by the Administration of the Ontario Racing Commission regarding the respondent raceway's failure to comply with a previous ruling.

The Commission ordered the cancellation of race dates scheduled for late December 2001.

The respondent was also ordered to fulfill its commitment to spend $100,000 on a marketing campaign for its reopening, negotiate the use of an additional $30,000 commitment, and complete the installation of lighting improvements by June 30, 2001.

Fort Erie Racetrack applied for teletheatre licences for locations in Welland, Niagara Falls, and Grimsby.

At the hearing, Flamboro Downs Raceway brought a motion to adjourn the proceedings to allow for further negotiation among the parties to resolve underlying issues.

The Ontario Racing Commission unanimously granted the motion and adjourned the hearing to a peremptory date.

Hiawatha Horse Park applied to the Ontario Racing Commission to cancel 16 live race dates in April and December 2001.

The Commission approved the cancellation of only three race dates in early April to allow the track time to repair damage sustained in late December 2000.

The Ontario Racing Commission held a hearing to consider applications for 2001 live and intertrack racing dates.

The Commission approved the live and intertrack race dates and post times as applied for by various racetracks across Ontario, including Woodbine, Fort Erie, and Mohawk, totaling 1,702 live dates and 5,863 intertrack dates.

Elmira Raceway requested approval in principle from the Ontario Racing Commission to relocate its operations to a site in the Village of Elora.

After hearing submissions from various stakeholders, including the Ontario Harness Horse Association and other raceways, and reviewing letters of support and one objection, the Commission approved the proposed relocation in principle in accordance with the presented plans and tentative timetable.