Owners ready to get back to racing 'out the door' in Dresden, Ont.
With the rising price of gasoline and diesel, local harness horse racers are excited to begin another race season at home.
“We can take a break from trucking,” said Darell Vleeming, owner of three horses set to race Monday. “It's easier on the horses too you know, hauling all over the place. It's stressful on the horse.”
The Chatham-Kent owner has been a harness horse racer for 25 years. He says the industry has changed a lot.
“Mostly the expenses,” he said.
“The price of gas and diesel has gone up so much,” said track announcer Gary Patterson, who believes the added expense has increased the pressure to win a race.
“Before you get a third prize, you'd be like ‘Okay, we've got some money, we paid for a day.’ But now, a third place, fourth place finish isn't going to pay your way to the racetrack if you have to drive, let's say, from Windsor to London,” said Patterson.
Increased expense isn’t the only reason their industry is struggling.
Patterson and Vleeming say the industry is still trying to rebound from the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program which was cancelled by the Liberal government in 2012.
“In 2011, we had 11,000 racehorses in Ontario,” said Patterson. “Now have about 4,000 racehorses in Ontario.”
Patterson and Vleeming say many breeders and owners either got out of the industry entirely, or left Ontario to continue racing elsewhere.
Without a steady stream of income, Patterson says racetracks have been struggling to continue to offer lucrative purses to entice racers.
“It's starting off a little bit slow with only seven horses on our holiday Monday racing card, but that will pick up,” said Patterson.
When larger racetracks close down for the season, Patterson believes racers will continue their seasons at smaller tracks, like Dresden.
He says they’re rolling out new ideas this summer, like theme days and a special tour for female drivers.
“We have our Ontario Women’s Drivers Championship, which is going to be happening in July. 10 of the top women drivers in Ontario will be competing,” said Patterson.
The season begins May 23 at 1 p.m. for seven races. Fans are encouraged to participate in “Derby Hat Day”.
“Fans in harness racing — it costs them nothing,” said Patterson who adds fans can choose whether or not to place a bet on each race.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.