February 2005 The Game

By Harlan Abbey
"We won't really know until we start receiving stall applications in February," said Fort Erie Director of Racing Herb McGirr, discussing the effects of the announcement of a cut in purse money from 2004's total of $22-million to 2005's $13 million. However, he and Racing Secretary Thomas Gostlin emphasized that purses will not be cut in proportion to the $9-million reduction.
The cut, of course, is due to competition for slot machine income from the American side of the border. Fort Erie's 1,200 machines showed a "before competition"
income of around $350 per machine per day; now it's around $250 per
day. On-track wagering and wagering at off-track betting parlors remained steady, McGirr added.
The daily purse allocations are not a unilateral decision by the track. Track management will work out the final details with the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Assn., representing horsemen, and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.
In 2003, the daily purse total was $160,000. Last year it rose to $180,000. The estimate for 2005 is $130,000 per day.
The one change that is obvious, McGirr said, is that Fort Erie in 2005 will be "a claiming race track" with most races being scheduled for claiming level horses, particularly those valued at $5,000.
CONTINUED PAGE 4 - SEE FORT ERIE
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In This Issue
HBPA Update Page 27
David Willmot Decade of Progress Page 5
Barbados Jockey Challenge Page 10
Horse Rescued in Caledon Page 11
Good Time to Breed in BC Page 19
Training in Fort Erie Page 26
Lina - The Horse Whisperer Page 30
Pro. Directory - Pg. 38 Classifieds -Pg.39
Fort Erie struggling to reduce '05 purses
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