New Track / Western Canada?

[HuggingTheRail]

Might this actually happen? A new, 1 mile track, to replace the Northlands bullring that closes this year.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-horse-racing-contract-awarded-to-century-casinos-1.3769645

[Zaf]

Nice :ThmbUp:

Z

[thespaah]

I wonder if the facility will include a turf course

[EMD4ME]

I am HAPPY!

I don't care if this means the Northlands horses won't come to EMD or Hastings.

I am happy because no track closing is a positive for this game.

I will support this track in 2018, god willing I am alive.

[chenoa]

I wonder if the facility will include a turf course

No turf course in the works.

[EMD4ME]

That's OK. Its Canada. Plus it makes it easier to cap. I'm happy to see that.

[chenoa]

I was a regular at Northlands from the mid 80's to mid to late 90's, nothing beat going to the track on Friday nights especially on those cold winter nights when it would hit -20 watching the pacers.

Some of the more memorable moments there were seeing Bill Shoemaker ride Canadian Derby day, Mike Iammarino telling a horse he couldn't beat flys on shit after a race down the backside. :lol: Iggy Puglisi had some great years here early in his career. But the best by far was walking into the track one Friday night and here the late Luke Krytbosch come across the PA, he made a few trips to Edmonton to announce and Luke was the best!!!

Back then was just the start of the SLOT INFESTATION and it wasn't hard to tell which way the sport was going and which way Northlands wanted it to go, they did nothing to help promote the game after that.

Also back in those days we had HEAVY and SLOW tracks, remember those!!! :D

[Greyfox]

Northlands is more than just a race track.
It also hosted the Edmonton Oilers NHL team, agricultural fairs, rock concerts, professional Lacrosse and the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Over the years, in spite of drawing in oodles of dollars, Northlands failed to develop a long term vision. They should have had one at least 15 years ago.
The Edmonton Oilers were snatched from under their noses when they had the opportunity to invest in them. The Oilers new owner then convinced the City of Edmonton to build a new arena downtown. Goodbye Northlands.
The Canadian Finals Rodeo pulled the pin on them, as did the professional Lacrosse team.
Rock concerts are now going to the new Rogers Place Arena downtown.
They were left with the track, a few exposition buildings, and an aging empty arena.
Less people were coming to the few hundred slot machines that they invested in.
For the past few years, Northlands started treating their betting tellers and customers shabbier.
Horsemen complained "They are treating us as if we aren't wanted here."
Turns out Northlands didn't want horse racing anymore.
In fact, they wanted out of it at the end of this year.
Fortunately, a casino group is tentatively planning to build the new Century Mile and owners and trainers are breathing a bit easier, but until that new track becomes more than just an artist's conception, they are worried.
Northlands might agree to have racing next year. They might not.
If the Century Mile track really goes ahead, it will be the only 1 mile oval west of Ontario.

[chenoa]

Century, lol.

They are claiming they have a 22% handle increase at Century Downs over last year. What they fail to mention is that is about due to Travis Cullen having a 2/5 shot in 4 and 5 horse fields and they are still allowing show wagering. All due to a SHOW jumper. They couldn't break 90 000 in handle on a 12 race program recently.

Let's hope they don't scale down Century Mile like what happened to Century Downs and at least have a toteboard.

[thespaah]

No turf course in the works.
Stepping back a bit. This makes sense as the climate in the Edmonton area makes for a very short turf racing season.

[chenoa]

Stepping back a bit. This makes sense as the climate in the Edmonton area makes for a very short turf racing season.


I believe in the original plan for Calgary's new track a turf course was included. But in the end land was sold and a small version became. Would have been interesting though.

[HuggingTheRail]

I believe in the original plan for Calgary's new track a turf course was included. But in the end land was sold and a small version became. Would have been interesting though.

Likelyhood this track in Edmonton happens? and at a mile?

[Parkview_Pirate]

Century, lol.

They are claiming they have a 22% handle increase at Century Downs over last year. What they fail to mention is that is about due to Travis Cullen having a 2/5 shot in 4 and 5 horse fields and they are still allowing show wagering. All due to a SHOW jumper. They couldn't break 90 000 in handle on a 12 race program recently.

Let's hope they don't scale down Century Mile like what happened to Century Downs and at least have a toteboard.

Agreed. I was up in Canada last week, and went to Northlands Friday night, Century Downs on Saturday, and Lethbridge on Sunday. The facility at Century, while new, was definitely a casino with racing on the side - with a big screen TV for a tote. There was little to no 2nd level seating for grandstanders like me to watch the races, and the simulcasting section inside was pretty cramped. Slot/video machines IN the simulcasting area was a huge transgression, IMHO. Reminded me of the new Gulfstream Park, and that's not a compliment.

Northlands and Lethbridge, OTH, started as racing facilities and had the casino facilities added later. Still plenty of elbow room and outside and upper level seating for the horse players, and worthwhile racing besides - not like those paceless jugheads at Century. Lethbridge also amazed me as it seemed like half the crowd huddled around the paddock to inspect the horses. Must be a lot of "physicality" 'cappers up there.

Looking at Google Maps, it doesn't appear to be that much room to squeeze a mile track in-between the golf course and the airport, so it would hardly be a surprise to me if they had to scale back the length of the track (if that's really where it's planned to be built).