RIP Ontario horse racing

[Starship Captain]

Ontario Horse Racing Industry
There are 18 racetracks in the Province of Ontario. Of these tracks, 15 are Standardbred; one is Thoroughbred; one is Thoroughbred and Standardbred combined, and the other is Quarter-horse. Ontario has more races dates than any other jurisdiction in North America. Horse racing is a year round sport, with both live racing in the Province and simulcast racing brought in from other jurisdictions.

Regulatory Controls
The horse racing industry is regulated both provincially and federally. The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) regulates racing, while the Canadian Pari-mutuel Agency CPMA regulates pari-mutuel wagering.

Horse Racing is an important agricultural industry which generates significant employment, particularly in rural Ontario, with economic benefits to the overall provincial economy. The horse racing industry employs Ontarians in the equivalent of 30,000 full time jobs. The industry spends over $1.2 billion a year and is Ontario’s third largest agricultural industry. It is also part of the gaming sector, competing with government-operated lotteries and sports betting and government-sanctioned casinos and charitable gaming.

They were lucky the agreement lasted as long as it has, the end result will be devastating to all in the ONT horse racing industry.

[Starship Captain]

http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/686553--rug-pulled-out-from-under-horse-racing

leading farm already has people cancelling bookings

[Allan]

I think people are too pessimistic in burying Ontario racing. Oh, for sure some tracks are going to close, but if you take the estimate there will be five to six tracks left (realizing there are Fort Eries and Ajax Downs which may be part of the mix), there will still be racing in the province.

The 'B' tracks purses are likely to be poor, but even if there is no slot revenue, there will still be racing at Woodbine. Prior to slots, maidens raced for $7,000. Considering handle has dropped, maidens in a non-slot infused purse world may race for $5,000. Sure that is a lot lower than it is now, but there are some horsemen in other provinces and states who would die to race for a bottom level purse of $5,000.

Yes, there will be too many horses in Ontario so it may be hard to get in, so head south, to the American Mid-Atlantic where there is a horse shortage. There will be racing opportunities there; granted no sires stakes races but you are talking about slot-infused purses down there.

[Starship Captain]

I am pissed off at your way of thinking and going to bed.