(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / cafaphotos)(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / cafaphotos)
Chatham

AGCO Race-Fixing Investigation Leaves Bitter Taste

The spokesperson for Dresden Raceway is not surprised that the racetracks in Dresden and Leamington have been cleared of wrongdoing but is critical of how the complaint was handled.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has found no evidence to substantiate or support race-fixing allegations in Leamington and Dresden.

AGCO spokesperson Ray Kahnert says an investigation began late in the fall after a member of the public complained about the integrity of harness horse racing at the Leamington and Dresden tracks.

Dresden Raceway spokesperson Gary Patterson is happy with the outcome but is critical of how the AGCO handled the complaint.

"It's great that both tracks have been cleared but also I don't believe the process was done correctly by allowing it to get out to the media that there was an investigation when there's really nothing substantiated," says Patterson.

Kahnert says a thorough investigation wrapped up this week and concluded there's no evidence of race fixing in Dresden and Leamington but can’t say anymore. He says the AGCO has an established policy on complaints and that is “all complaints and inquiries are kept confidential.”

Patterson says he knew all along that there was no wrongdoing done by the racetracks.

"Both tracks operate with the highest integrity. The horse people work hard to put a great product on the track and it's not a surprise that there's nothing to the investigation," he says.

Patterson is disappointed with the process and hopes this doesn't hurt the upcoming season.

"What disappoints me though is when it goes out to the media, it's guilty until proven innocent and I don't agree with that format. People might still have it in their minds of something going on and that's not the case," Patterson says.

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