R.I.P. Ft Erie

[appistappis]

Well today was supposed to be the last day ever. The mood there was pretty somber and it seems like this time we are done.

1896-2013

[andtheyreoff]

The same thing was said last year (http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94917), but they came back for one more year. So, you never know,

[JustRalph]

The same thing was said last year (http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94917), but they came back for one more year. So, you never know,

After the governments announcements this week, I don't see how.

[appistappis]

the gov't money is gone, the future of ontario breeding operations is done so in a few years they won't be enough horses for woodbine, never mind ft erie. The ontario gov't has killed horseracing s future, they want everybody sitting in front of a slot machine.

[usedtolovetvg]

WEG & the greedy race track operators killed Ontario racing. For years, the slots artificially subsidized horse racing. The writing was on the wall. They had lots of time to figure out how to make racing popular. They used all that government money padding salaries and patting themselves on the back. In a free market economy, a business must be sustainable or it will disappear. It is the job of the execs in charge to make that happen not the government. Like so many companies that have failed, the leadership has led them down the primrose path to the eternal bonfire.

[JustRalph]

Did anybody notice that 90% of the government money is going to Standardbred racing? Harness racing that big up there?

[Some_One]

Someone there loves Harness racing, I can't believe how much money they get, and how they cut the purse of the Canadian International over races like the Metro Pace or Maple Leaf trot which gets absolutely no handle. My guess more owners/connections in Harness are local versus the TBreds.

[Zaf]

Did anybody notice that 90% of the government money is going to Standardbred racing? Harness racing that big up there?

Think the Woodbine/Mohawk circuit is the biggest in North America since the decline of the Meadowlands ? Harness guys chime in, is that correct ?

Z

[usedtolovetvg]

Many more people work in the harness side directly or indirectly. Only 2 t-bred tracks but at last count 15 harness. Many are in small towns and are the life blood of these communities.

[Zaf]

Many more people work in the harness side directly or indirectly. Only 2 t-bred tracks but at last count 15 harness. Many are in small towns and are the life blood of these communities.

That is why I am against closing the small tracks on the thoroughbred circuit. Hate to see people lose their jobs.

Z

[baconswitchfarm]

The harness breeding business is much larger. Cost to operate tracks is rarely discussed. A friend of mine in management at a track with both breeds says it cost 400% more to run the thoroughbred meet, not counting purses. Don't know if that is weighed in or not.

[LottaKash]

Here is some additional info that is related to this dilemma:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/10-15-13/more-reaction-ontario-racings-five-year-plan.html

excerpt:

Officials with the Fort Erie Race Track for thoroughbreds were less than enthused with the details of the plan, as the historic border oval did not make the cut. Although, officials with the picturesque raceway still have the ability to present a proposal for race dates and purse funding. There has been talk of more of a specialty, boutique meet, something similar to what has been successful at Monmouth Racetrack in New Jersey, but Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium head Jim Thibert has explained how that scenario is easier said than done. Thibert bluntly stated (http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/4153243-race-track-headed-for-closure/), “We can’t do it,” said Thibert, who noted it costs roughly $6-million just to open the doors at the track each year.

[badcompany]

Here is some additional info that is related to this dilemma:

There has been talk of more of a specialty, boutique meet, something similar to what has been successful at Monmouth Racetrack in New Jersey, but Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium head Jim Thibert has explained how that scenario is easier said than done. Thibert bluntly stated (http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/4153243-race-track-headed-for-closure/), “We can’t do it,” said Thibert, who noted it costs roughly $6-million just to open the doors at the track each year.

Therein lies the problem with Horseracing as a gambling vehicle in today's environment: it costs too much to put on the show.

Online poker or slots can create an unlimited number of games at a relatively low cost.

Sportsbetting has the advantage of the games paying for themselves via non-betting spectators.

Unfortunately, Horseracing has neither of these.

[notoutofpounds]

The Globe and Mail ran some stories worth a read documenting the bonuses paid at Woodbine.

[RXB]

the gov't money is gone, the future of ontario breeding operations is done so in a few years they won't be enough horses for woodbine, never mind ft erie. The ontario gov't has killed horseracing s future, they want everybody sitting in front of a slot machine.

Baloney the gov't has killed horse racing. Horse racing has killed itself.

[FantasticDan]

Once again back from the dead...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83261/fort-erie-to-race-in-2014-horsemen-say