It now appears that 10 days of fair racing in Ayer's Cliff will be the only live harness racing in Quebec
this year.
The Quebec Jockey Club hoped to also present 50 live cards at the former training centre in St. Basile le Grand, but spokesman Joe Faucher said this week existing regulations and paperwork have made that impossible. While the required changes are in the works, they're still probably five months away, he said.
The hope now is to have everything set and a comprehensive program in place for 2011, and to get betting back at Quebec's teletheatres by fall.
The good news, Faucher said, is that the Quebec government's recent budget included a reduction in the provincial tax on parimutuel bets. The provincial tax on single-horse bets and exotics is now 2.5 per cent, down from 4 and 10 per cent, respectively. Quebec used to collect the tax and rebate it back to former racetrack operator Attractions Hippiques. Now, most of the money is staying in the hands of bettors.
It's hoped that will encourage a larger handle for the internet betting which resumed in the province last month through a partnership between the Quebec Jockey Club and Woodbine Entertainment Group's HorsePlayer Interactive site. To date, more than 700 accounts have been opened, Faucher said.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
just want to add Mrs.
just want to add Mrs. Maturo,
the government did offer to subsidize like you call it the racing industry by making an interesting offer to keep horse racing going for the next 15 years at small tracks, but unfortunately someone in the then role of decision taking convinced others that the offer was far from reasonable and we all know what is the situation now, like they say, the rest is history !!!! just to say, government is not the only one to blame for the non racing situation in Quebec now ,
In reply to just want to add Mrs. by Gil
in reply to Mr.
in reply to Mr. Mercier....
Mr. Mercier, had the government agreed to give the same subsidy without Attraction Hippique at the helm, you and I would not be having this conversation. I was simply stating the obvious difference between the governments interpretation of monies given to our industry. Sir, I might not fully agree with your opinion however I respect the fact that you have one.
For now...see you at Ayers Cliff.
Amazing...quebec budget
Amazing...quebec budget stated last week, they are saving money by no longer "SUBSIDIZING" a percentage of VLTs to the horse industry yet they continue to give a "COMMISSION" to bar owners. What a system! What a province to be proud of! Maybe if our drivers would wear leather instead of colors we would be taken seriously.
Carmen Maturo Perzow (Breeder Director Standardbred Canada for Quebec)
Incredibly sad. As a New
Incredibly sad. As a New Yorker, I used to love coming north to Montreal. I guess bad politics goes north of the border as well.