In December, southern British Columbia recorded the largest amount of snow in its history and Fraser Downs had to cancel the most consecutive days in a row ever. Alberta has its 2009 race dates determined but it may still be tough to hold the industry together. The Ontario Harness Horse Association and Woodbine Entertainment Group have some contract differences, which create a ripple effect across the country with respect to simulcasting revenues. Quebec is still a very sad story, as owners and trainers are left with few or no options -- the fact is that some of the racehorses and broodmares are being sold to abattoirs. As I write this, my calendar reads January 1, 2009 – though I can’t decide if I’m ready for it or not.
But some more positive stories keep me motivated – the hard work and determination of our O'Brien Award finalists and winners, for example. All of us dream of an O’Brien nomination for our performance or the performance of our horses – congratulations to you all! And again our shining star, Somebeachsomewhere, brings light to the industry. Just as Cam Fella did so many years ago, The Beach stole our hearts – from coast to coast – and received the prestigious Cam Fella award. Congratulations to the Maritime monster and all his connections on this and the other awards that are sure to be coming your way.
For Standardbred Canada, the winter months are filled with industry meetings and brainstorming sessions. SC’s Board of Directors will be meeting in the last week of January to finalize the 2009 operating budget and endorse all its projects. I look forward to attending the joint HTA/HHI/USTA Harness Racing Congress in February and will provide you with an update of its success at a later date. Finally, election of Officers and Committees will take place shortly, and I (or a new Chair) will report the results of these elections in March.
Also in March, Fraser Downs will play host to the National Drivers Championship Final to determine Canada's representative at May’s 2009 World Driving Championship in Norway. I’m thrilled to see this event come to British Columbia for its culminating race!
Looking ahead to the spring, I am pleased to remind you that SC will be hosting the second Standardbred Wagering Conference, to be held at Caesars Windsor Casino on Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th, in Windsor, Ontario. The conference will again be partnered with the Canadian Gaming Summit and we are fully anticipating representation from the U.S. harness racing industry. I hope you will consider attending!
In the East, I’d like to congratulate Jamie Hachey on his appointment to President of Horse Racing New Brunswick. These will be both exciting and frustrating times, but a fresh, new approach to revitalizing harness racing in New Brunswick will be most rewarding.
And to the West, things just might be looking up as well. Could Alberta have two new tracks for the 2009/2010 season? Alberta Downs in Lacombe (just South of Edmonton) is moving full steam ahead with a mile track and it seems they could be ready to race this spring. The track at Balzac is also still proceeding as planned, though there is no specific commencement date there for this year or next.
Lastly, my congratulations go out to trainer/equine artist Brianna Fenn and Chad Winacott. Brianna nailed her first training win in just her second career start with Botown Flyer at Western Fair Raceway, and Chad bagged his first driving win at Kawartha Downs with Son The King.
And actually, I do have one last thought.
How about females buying their male Valentines a treat this year?!
Until next month!
A monthly newsletter from Standardbred Canada’s Chair of the Board of Directors.