(Photo courtesy of Jorge Royan via Wikipedia)(Photo courtesy of Jorge Royan via Wikipedia)
Windsor

Contract For Harness Horse Racing Extended After Deal Rejected

After rejecting a 19-year proposal put forth by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission and Woodbine Entertainment, smaller racetracks, like the one in Leamington, have an extra year to work on a deal.

Member of the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association, Tom Bain has said under the proposal control of the local track would be all but handed over to the Woodbine Entertainment Group. On a board of 11 representatives, Leamington would not have representation.

"There's a real fear there, based on earlier attempts to shut us down that that's going to continue and we're not going to be part of that," he said after the current contract was extended to three years.

"We're feeling that there may be a glimmer of hope in that and that maybe we can come up with an agreement," he added.

Bain says along with an extra year of negotiations; his group will also continue efforts to lobby the provincial government.

"We have to now wait and see who gets the power after the provincial election and see who's in office and then as an association we'll be back knocking on that door," he said.

This year's harness horse racing season will start at the Leamington Raceway on August 5 and continue every Sunday until October 28.

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