The future of horse racing in Dresden is filled with uncertainty.
The Ontario Racing Commission is expected to announce race dates for the the province on April 1.
The questions still lingers whether this will includes dates in Dresden.
The horse racing industry was forced to change it’s approach, after the provincial government cut the slots at race track program, and then announced a five-year $400-million plan to modernize the horse racing industry.
An alliance of eight tracks near the GTA are set to split $72 million annually, while other regional tracks had to submit business cases battling for a share of the remaining $8 million.
The Dresden Agricultural Society has leased out the Dresden Raceway to operator Winrac Development Inc. for years.
They are attempting to work out a deal for the upcoming season.
The Ontario Racing Commission is expected to sign a deal soon.
“This announcement offers assurance to the racing industry that over the next five years, race dates, around 900 live dates per year, will be stable and purse levels guaranteed,” said Steve Lehman, executive director of the Ontario Racing Commission.
John Snobelen of the Ontario Racing Commission said further discussions are set to take place about a regional circuit in Southwestern Ontario which would involve the Dresden Raceway, Hiawatha Horse Park and Leamington, among others.
Dresden Raceway had 16 race dates last year.
