Lakeshore says. "NO" to OLG

[oreogator2]

In an emergency meeting held Sunday night, the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association, which runs Leamington Raceway declined to be pressured into signing the recently announced long term funding agreement with the OLG.
The agreement was designed to provide up to $105 million dollars for all Ontario racing in each year for the next 19 years. Leamington was guaranteed up to $35,000 for each of 13 racing cards, and only for the next 3 years.
The pressure came when OLG executive Cal Bricker in a memo last week required that all tracks sign the agreement by May 1st. The LHRA executive, through its members, felt that there was not enough time to discuss the merits of such a long term deal, especially when other comparable tracks were getting up to $65,000 per card in funding. President Mark Williams stated, "Our horsemen and horses are worth just as much per 10 race card as those in Flamboro, and we need time to work this out."
Lakeshore manager Wayne Martiniuk was thus directed to not sign any agreement at this time.

[mwins]

Problem is OLG doesn't need them.

[Brett Oil Can Boyd]

 SO THAT IS WHAT RACING OVER THERE IS COMING DOWN TOO.  GUMMY WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT, THAT IS A SCARY THOUGHT, NO ONE ELSE MUST HAVE WANTED THE POSITION. 

 OUR WELFARE CHEQUE ISNT BIG ENOUGH. GIVE US MORE.

HOW DO CUSTOMERS INTERESTS COMPARE? THAT IS HANDLE... FLAMMY DOES 300-400K ON A SUNDAY NIGHT DURING SUMMER SEASON, DOES LEAMY HIT 25K

[truth serum]

Leamington is not offered on any wagering platform and that makes a difference.
To bet that track you need to physically be there it’s not offered in any OTB or HPI
The 50 people that show up at Flamboro aren’t betting 25k in house.
Remember Flamboro and others benefit HPI and any other wagering platform  now remove that and you’ll have the exact same result as you have in Leamington.

[Barnet Garnsdale]

 ANOTHER STUPID EFFORT TO SAVE PRODUCT THAT ISNT NEEDED, THE SAME WITH HIAWATHA.  HORSEMEN JUST TRYING TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IMPORTANT

[whiptherabbit]

I'm not even sure that Flamboro gets 50 people any more.....

[Jazzman]

the worst thing about ontario is weg they want to control everthing even though only a small percentage of horse people race there

[Rabbi Of Racing]

WHATEVER YOU DO KEEP THOSE TRACKS OPEN, MARTY,  WHEN CARLO SHUTS DOWN NORTHVILLE, SARNIA AND LEAMS WILL BE OWNED BY THE CROSS THE BORDER GUYS COMING CROSS THE BLUE WATER AND AMBASSADOR BRIDGES AND TAKING MONEY BACK TO THE STATES BY THE TRUCK LOAD.  WE WILL SEE HOW YOU LIKE NAFTA THEN

Marty is against NAFTA,trust me,Marty is a sold conservative and a great guy

[pylon]

Western Fair has to be kept for southwestern Ontario and they should get better dates. This shutting down the end of May is ridiculous and for what all the Clinton's, Leamington and Dresden's there in not the horse population for Mohawk so let the lower horses race at extended Western dates.

and where does Grand River fit in with your scenario?

[oreogator2]

Just a couple notes:
1. For 13 Sundays in the fall, Leamington attendance was anywhere from 800 to 1,500 people.
2. Handle on track beat Flamboro, and on at least 1 occasion outbet Mohawk, on track, Monday.we averaged $26,000 per card and hit $40,000.
3. If you are a real fan of racing, you would love the atmosphere, and the grandstand sits right on the edge of the track.
4. Every week there is a promotion and/or giveaways, tv sets, 30 kids bicycles, even a car one year.
5. The best part, you can make money there. If you think you can handicap, you love it.
6. We line up 6 across with 1 trailer, start at the head of the stretch, and every horse has a shot to gain position before the first turn. All fields are full, & many races have 4 across at the finish.
7. And the best part, we love Americans. We Welcome them, their horses and their competative nature.
8. You'll like the 10 race paddock, and the horsemen special price bbq in the backstretch.
9. The beer is Canadian, and your dollar really stretches. Although, if you want American beer, we'd even do that for you too.
10. And, if you somehow don't go home saying you had a nice timr, I will pay for your bridge fare home!
Fyi, this year Leamington gets an extra $4,000 per card, from Windsor Raceway "stranded funds" which will all go to purses.
The horsemen answer to horsemen. We are the owners and track operators - a concept that makes it all work, because we know what we like, and what we need.
If you liked the good ole days of Jackson, Saginaw, or even Sports Creek, you'll love Leamington.
Their announcer ain't bad either!  Lol

[TheGrimReaper]

Just a couple notes:
1. For 13 Sundays in the fall, Leamington attendance was anywhere from 800 to 1,500 people.
2. Handle on track beat Flamboro, and on at least 1 occasion outbet Mohawk, on track, Monday.we averaged $26,000 per card and hit $40,000.
3. If you are a real fan of racing, you would love the atmosphere, and the grandstand sits right on the edge of the track.
4. Every week there is a promotion and/or giveaways, tv sets, 30 kids bicycles, even a car one year.
5. The best part, you can make money there. If you think you can handicap, you love it.
6. We line up 6 across with 1 trailer, start at the head of the stretch, and every horse has a shot to gain position before the first turn. All fields are full, & many races have 4 across at the finish.
7. And the best part, we love Americans. We Welcome them, their horses and their competative nature.
8. You'll like the 10 race paddock, and the horsemen special price bbq in the backstretch.
9. The beer is Canadian, and your dollar really stretches. Although, if you want American beer, we'd even do that for you too.
10. And, if you somehow don't go home saying you had a nice timr, I will pay for your bridge fare home!
Fyi, this year Leamington gets an extra $4,000 per card, from Windsor Raceway "stranded funds" which will all go to purses.
The horsemen answer to horsemen. We are the owners and track operators - a concept that makes it all work, because we know what we like, and what we need.
If you liked the good ole days of Jackson, Saginaw, or even Sports Creek, you'll love Leamington.
Their announcer ain't bad either!  Lol

Great comments.....wish you all the best.....Canada does what US does at a few fair tracks......racin g the way it was when we all loved it.

[bigwrench]

Thanks Marty! Nice work!
Hope to see you there
One time this year!