Chris Kruba

The Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA), Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC), and the Northern Horsemen's Association (NHA) appealed the Director's decisions regarding the 2011 Ontario Racing Program.

OHHA and GCGC challenged the reduction of race dates and the redistribution of purse funds under the newly implemented Race Date Framework.

The Commission upheld the Director's decisions regarding race dates and purse redistribution, finding that the Framework was a necessary, industry-wide strategy to revitalize standardbred racing by aligning horse supply with customer demand.

The NHA's appeal for additional December race dates at Sudbury Downs was granted in part to mitigate the hardship of a lengthy closed season.

The appellant harness horse association appealed the Executive Director's allocation of 2008 race dates for two raceways.

The administration challenged the panel's jurisdiction, arguing the appellant missed the 48-hour deadline to file a notice of appeal.

The panel found it had jurisdiction to hear the appeals to ensure transparency in the new race date allocation process, despite the missed deadline.

On the merits, the panel dismissed the appeals, finding the Executive Director properly followed the policy directive in allocating the race dates.

Windsor Raceway Inc. applied to the Ontario Racing Commission for 125 live race dates and 364 simulcast dates for the 2006 season.

The Ontario Harness Horse Association made submissions advocating for more summer racing dates.

The Commission conditionally approved the application, ordering the applicant to submit a revised schedule adding a minimum of six live race dates to address concerns about the reduction in racing opportunities.

The Ontario Racing Commission reconvened a hearing regarding an application by Windsor Raceway Inc. for 2006 race dates.

The Commission had previously approved 125 race dates conditional upon the addition of a minimum of six days.

The applicant submitted a revised application for six additional dates, which the Commission approved, bringing the total to 131 approved race dates for Windsor Raceway.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard applications for 2006 live and intertrack race dates from several track operators.

The Commission approved the race dates for Quinte Exhibition & Raceway on the condition that it would be its final year of operation at the existing facility.

The Commission also approved the race dates for Kawartha Downs Raceway, subject to a joint review of wagering levels with the Ontario Harness Horse Association.

The applications for Windsor Raceway and The New Hiawatha Horse Park were adjourned or deferred.