Tom Deacon

The Ontario Racing Commission heard applications from Quinte Exhibition and Raceway, Kawartha Downs Raceway, and Sudbury Raceway for their 2003 live and intertrack race dates.

The Commission approved the requested dates for Quinte Exhibition.

For Kawartha Downs, the Commission approved the dates and a proposal to reconstruct the track into a dual-purpose facility for horse and car racing, subject to strict pre-conditions regarding facility improvements and track maintenance.

For Sudbury Raceway, the Commission approved a reduced 66-day schedule but required a revised calendar to extend the racing season over eight months rather than concentrating days in the summer, balancing the track's financial concerns with the horsemen's need for an extended season.

Rideau Carleton Raceway applied for 127 days of live racing for 2002, which would involve a reduction of 21 live race dates from 2001 and eliminate winter racing for four months.

The application was opposed by the Ontario Harness Horse Association and local horsepeople, who argued that the lack of winter racing would severely impact their livelihoods and that there were no viable alternative venues in eastern Ontario.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the application without prejudice, noting the applicant's uncertainty regarding viable race dates and the failure to explore alternatives to mitigate the impact on horsepeople during the winter months.

The Ontario Racing Commission held a hearing to consider applications for 2002 live and intertrack race dates from various racetracks across the province.

After hearing submissions from the applicants, the Administration, and horsemen's associations, the Commission approved the requested dates for thoroughbred, quarter horse, and standardbred racing, subject to certain conditions and undertakings regarding field sizes and racing opportunities.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard an application from Georgian Downs Limited for a racetrack operator's licence and racing dates for the new Georgian Downs Raceway.

The Commission approved the application, granting the licence, 17 live race dates, and 61 intertrack and off-track dates.

The Commission also approved the cancellation of existing teletheatre licences for Barrie Raceway and their transfer to Georgian Downs Raceway.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard teletheatre applications from Flamboro Downs Raceway and Fort Erie Race Track.

The Commission granted a licence to Fort Erie for a site in Grimsby and to Flamboro for a site in Hamilton, but denied applications for sites in Welland and St. Catharines due to market saturation.

The Commission also made recommendations to the CPMA regarding the designation of exclusive Home Market Areas for teletheatres in the Hamilton and Niagara regions.

The Ontario Racing Commission convened to hear an application for a teletheatre licence from Flamboro Downs Raceway.

After hearing submissions from the applicant, Fort Erie Racetrack, and the Administration, the Commission approved the teletheatre licence for a site in Hamilton, Ontario, conditional upon Flamboro Downs advising the Administration of the opening date.

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.

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.