Page 19 - June 2007 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
The Game, June 2007 19
Opening Day at the Fort - May 5, 2007
Photo Right:
Fort Erie’s 2006 Leading Rider, Robert King Jr. (left) was on hand to provide his thoughts on the 2007 season at Fort Erie to Daryl Wells Jr. who is back calling races at the Fort in 2007 after Daryl Ezra decided to focus solely on training.
Three year old first time starter, Bayazar, made his debut on opening day at Fort Erie a winning one for trainer Danny Wills and owner Jeanne Ryan. Brian Bochinski was aboard.
In the first race on Opening Day at Fort Erie on May 5, Bayazar, the five horse, was the winner by a nose over to number 2 horse, Bees On High, which made for an exciting start to the 2007 live thoroughbred season.
HBPA Ontario Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
One of the most beneficial things about being in the horse racing industry in Ontario is that we have a massive variety of regional industry periodicals which provide us with extremely useful information. In the thoroughbred world, the three main magazines are: The Game (the official communication vehicle of the HBPA of Ontario), the International Thoroughbred Digest, and the Canadian Thoroughbred. Objectively, all three bring valuable and differing views with information that educates its readership on all aspects of the thoroughbred industry.
While most of us thoroughbred people focus our local reading and information sourcing on the three periodicals mentioned above, we are missing out on what I would consider a gem and wealth of information that is provided by Trot Magazine.
To appreciate the value of the
Report from the Executive Director
The third article which I found quite insightful was a Q&A with the new chair of the Ontario Racing Commission, Rod Seiling. A couple of quotes which I found interesting read as follows: “this is a changing world and that one needs to look and see if the business model that racing uses is still current today”, “My philosophy is that change has to be done through consensus”, and most importantly “I think that it’s incumbent upon us (ORC) to ensure that the industry from a board perspective is treated fairly and when required, due process is there and it is fair and consistent”.
The final article which I found interesting was the Trot report on a Proposal to Restructure Harness Racing. This article in itself is well worth reading. It gives you an in depth understanding of where the standardbred industry needs to go to develop and rebuild the foundation of Canadian harness racing.
information provided by
Trot Magazine, one only
needs to look at the May
2007 edition which had
four (4) extremely well
presented articles that are
of interest to all of us in the
racing world regardless of
breed preference. The first
article interviewed a local
thirty two year old
“punter” who was betting
$350G a year on harness
racing and today is betting millions of dollars annually-but virtually none at the races. His story, like many others, is focused on the increased competition that we as an industry face with the boom in casino, sports betting, and of course the poker craze. If this interview does not ring a bell for immediate action, then we are
all living in denial.
The second important piece
in the May edition deals with wagering in Canada and the demand/ trends that affect live racing in our country. One of the major statistical evaluations deals with a two year analysis of wagering. This trend clearly indicates the shift of betting from one breed to another. Standardbred wagering reduced by
approximately $46 million in 2006 compared to 2005 ($675M vs. $722M). Thoroughbred wagering however has increased by $32M in 2006 compared to 2005 ($1,016M vs. $1,048M). Is this a shift? Is this growth in one breed and a decline in another? We certainly need to find the answer.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
HBPA Day at the Races Fort Erie
The following is the schedule of the Trainer and Assistant Trainer Testing schedule for 2007. All applications for testing must be completed and submitted to the HBPA no later than two weeks prior to the test date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Trainer/Assistant Trainer testing Schedule for 2007:
July 11 - Both Woodbine & Fort Erie, completed applications are due June 27 September 12 - Both Woodbine & Fort Erie
For more information or to obtain your application form contact the HBPA
Backstretch Office at Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext. 3249.
Shedrow of the Month
The HBPA and WEG at Woodbine as well as the HBPA and Nordic Gaming at Fort Erie will once again be awarding “Shedrow of the Month” prizes for trainers and their staff whose stable area best exemplifies a clean and safe work environment during that month. Winners at Woodbine will receive a $100 cheque and winners from Fort Erie will receive $200 ($100 HBPA and $100 Nordic).
Congratulations to Shedrow of the Month winner for May at Woodbine - Mark Mesic. Fort Erie’s Shedrow of the Month for May will be announced in the July issue of The Game.
HBPA Backstretch Picnic at Woodbine
After a one year absence, the HBPA will once again be hosting the Woodbine Backstretch Picnic. The Picnic will be held on Monday, July 16 on the grandstand side at Woodbine. Complete details to come. The HBPA is looking for volunteers to help with the picnic. If you are interested in being a volunteer please contact the HBPA backstretch office at 416-675-3802.
The first HBPA Day at the Races for 2007 will be held on June 17 (Father’s Day) at Fort Erie. The HBPA will be giving away FREE tote bags (limited number available) and Fort Erie Racetrack will be offering $1 Hot Dogs and $1 Soft Drinks as well as live music and a FREE ABBA Mania concert after the races.
Trainer Testing for the 2007 Season