Page 5 - February 2009 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Fate of Fort Erie on Hold till March
The Game, February 2009 5 control over operations and services.
On Monday, January 19, in a press conference
in Fort Erie, Economic Development and Tourism Corp. (EDTC) general manager Jim Thibert informed Fort Erie council that he and agency chairman Claude Pilato had submitted an offer to purchase the Fort Erie Race Track property including buildings, land, equipment, inventory, licenses and trademarks with the intent of establishing it as a not- for-pro t corporation.
down costs.
A new not-for-pro t corporation would be
“We’re continuing to work with all the parties to try to get a resolution as quickly as we can. I think the extension of that license to that date has kind of taken the pressure off everybody and I’m concerned now that things will just sot status quo for the next few weeks which is very unfortunate and very unfair to the horsemen.” said Sue Leslie.
Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor took the proposal to Queen’s Park for consideration with Nordic issuing the Province a decision deadline of January 26.
The province would underwrite/ guarantee a $35-million loan as a 40-year mortgage, using the 350 acres of property as collateral;
In a surprising move by the Ontario Racing Commission, that deadline has ultimately been extended to the end of March, with the extension of the racetrack license to March 30, 2009.
The province would have to provide a $3.2-million down payment on the purchase by noon Monday for the proposal to move forward;
Negotiations are to continue between the EDTC, Nordic Gaming/El-Ad (Canada) Inc, current owner of Fort Erie Race Track, the Province of Ontario and the Ontario HBPA. However HBPA President Sue Leslie says the extension is “very unfortunate and unfair” for Fort Erie horsemen.
The Town of Fort Erie would contribute $1 million a year from its own share of revenues from slot machines at the track to help retire the debt;
“What do the horsemen do?” said Sue in an interview with Thoroughbred Times, “They don’t know whether to sell their homes, sell their horses. They have nowhere to train their horses...I can understand and would support an extension of their license for a week or 10 days or even two weeks while we work out some further details on the latest proposal. But two months?”
The province would have to allow the “loan” of 200 slot machines from Fort Erie to another facility, likely Woodbine racetrack, to generate additional revenues;
created to operate the track. Called the Fort Erie Thoroughbred Race Track Corporation, the new entity would be administered by a board of directors composed of representatives from the EDTC, HBPA, Town of Fort Erie, unions and possibly a provincial appointee.
Steve Roberts ~ public trainer ~
Stallsavailablefor Woodbine 2009Season
•Hands-onQualityCare •OpenCommunication •Dedicated,ExperiencedStaff • Up&Comingtrainer • 2007/2008 Stats: 59% top 4!
97 Starts - 10 Wins - 7 Seconds - 15 thirds - 23 Fourths
Stalls are limited call today: 416-275-3179 or wingsoferin@idirect.com
Sale of racetrack land for development would be used to repay the loan from the province;
The Ontario government’s response to
the proposal was that while the proposal is “creative and has some merits” it expressed concerns about some details, speci cally with regards to the Province guaranteeing earnings, wagering, or sales at the racetrack, while having neither control
over customer demand
for the product nor
animal Planet to air ‘docu-soap’ on Jockeys
Highlights of the terms of the original proposal to the Province by the EDTC included:
The EDTC has offered to purchase the race track operation including land, buildings, equipment, inventory, licenses and trademarks for $35 million, less transfer/transaction costs and Nordic’s wind-
Professionals would be retained to operate the track.
WeKnowTheHorseBusiness
25 Years Experience
with the Horse Racing Industry
Personal & Business Income Tax Returns Corporate & Estate Taxes
Employee Payroll Client Invoicing Workers Comp & Employment Insurance Benefits Business G.S.T. Remittances
Weekly, Monthly or Yearly Bookkeeping Computerized Accounting
Incorporation & Registration of New Businesses Business & Farm income
Travel, Auto & Home-Office Deductions
RRSP Contributions & Withdrawals And More!
Confidentiality Assured. Services Tailored to Meet Your Needs. Call Today for your no obligation consultation.
Conveniently Located Across from Woodbine Race Track
135 Queenʼs Plate Drive, Suite 530 416-746-2675
email: norcross@bellnet.ca
On February 6 Animal Planet will premiere a pair of 30-minute episodes of a TV series “Jockeys” which will take a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of seven jockeys at work and home. Featured riders include Aaron Gryder, Jon Court, Joe Talamo, Alex Solis, Mike Smith, Chantal Sutherland and Kayla Stra.
Anita meeting this past fall. Previews show a well-produced effort with good production values, with race footage intermingled with scenes from the jockeys’ room as well as their home lives. They include interviews with family members.
The episodes follow the riders as they compete at the Oak Tree at Santa
“Jockeys” will air two installments each Friday beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern and paci c time. Twelve episodes have been shot.
BeAssure
We’ve Got Your Investments Covered
the Official insurance Broker to members of the CtHS
www.classicequine.ca
BFl CaNaDa, NaMED ONE OF tHE 50 BESt MaNaGED PriVatEly OWNED FirMS iN CaNaDa
BFl CaNaDa
Ask about our all inclusive
FarM iNSUraNCE
Plus receive substantial discounts on:
• Horse Mortality • Stallion Infertility • Prospective Foal Insurance
• Long Term or Short Term Disability • Travel Insurance
• Medical/Dental “Flex” Plan
Our staff can recommend the best coverage for your needs:
Daniel Mooney - Stephanie Kirton
Jackie Wedley - Cindy Sabourin (cell 416-931-8343)
1-800-668-5901 or 416-599-5530 Calgary Office: Cathy Wilson 1-888-451-4132 Montreal Office: Marie Nadeau 1-800-465-2842 BC Office - andrew Knight & rollie Embree 604-736-3831 andrew.knight@jmins.com
d
The Game February 2009.indd 5
1/28/09 1:58:41 AM