Congratulations to all of the Workers from the Barn Area
Yesterday after the last race a horse went down in the backstretch due to heat exhaustion. Within minutes a brigade of workers from the barn area ran out with large buckets of water in attempt to revive the downed horse. Eventually she got to her feet and they were able to load her into the van and take her back to her stall where she is now doing fine. But there were some scary moments on the backstretch for a while. Once again job well done to all who ran to save the life of one of our own!
Yesterday after the last race a horse went down in the backstretch due to heat exhaustion. Within minutes a brigade of workers from the barn area ran out with large buckets of water in attempt to revive the downed horse. Eventually she got to her feet and they were able to load her into the van and take her back to her stall where she is now doing fine. But there were some scary moments on the backstretch for a while. Once again job well done to all who ran to save the life of one of our own!
And a further congratulations to all of the trainers that are doing their out most best in entering horses Wednesday and Sunday mornings. While our horse pool is very low our field size is hanging tough at 7.06. Now do not get me wrong, this is not a good number and unless we find some horses for next year we will be in big trouble. But right now we have become very efficient with what we have. Trainers/owners should be commended for the effort. Also credit goes to the Racing Secretary. I do not always agree with all of the races written but considering how small our horse pool is Paul has done a fine job in managing our race cards. So to all the trainers out there who are finding horses to run and to the racing office………job well done.
Incidentally the card yesterday was not our best and there were no stakes races but there was a good crowd. Yes there was a good allowance race with Bonboni getting past Seminole Brave in the last few steps to the wire but the point is this. Sunday, the handle was our second best Sunday of the meet and our fourth best day of the year. I am convinced with a little luck we will claw our way back to even and that would be remarkable considering what we have been up against.
Not Getting Our Fair Share 101
The chart below illustrates how little we receive of the original slot revenue that was promised to the thoroughbred sector. Out of the $10,000,000, $2,706,000 goes to TBC. The balance that is left is $7,294,000. Out of this Hastings receives $3,571,142 and the thoroughbred sector receives the $2,134,954. So why bring this up?
The chart below illustrates how little we receive of the original slot revenue that was promised to the thoroughbred sector. Out of the $10,000,000, $2,706,000 goes to TBC. The balance that is left is $7,294,000. Out of this Hastings receives $3,571,142 and the thoroughbred sector receives the $2,134,954. So why bring this up?
The statement below was taken from the........
Horse Racing Industry Business Plan -June 2011
Horse Racing Industry Business Plan -June 2011
“Prior to 2010/11, government has supported the horse racing industry financially via grants based on 15.5% of net slot revenues at the Hastings Park and Fraser Downs casinos, historically averaging approximately $5.8 million per year. For 2010/11, the government horse racing grant has been increased to $10 million. In subsequent years, the intent is to decouple this grant from slot revenue and fix this grant at $10 million”.
So whatever you want to call it…….a grant….or a partial grant with casino revenue, Great Canadian is receiving a portion of grant/slot revenue of which was never intended for them. Now the Management Racing Committee wants us to call it a $10,000,000 grant. So if we no longer receive any slot revenue that means that our share is going to Great Canadian and the BC Lottery Corporation to split. But in reality the $10million dollar grant is partially subsidized by our slot revenue. And what do we end up with? The princely sum of $2,134,954 while Great Canadian receives $3,571,142. The slot revenue was originally meant to bolster our purse account. It was never intended to fund Great Canadian’s Hastings operation. Mel Snow commented on this very subject in a previous post. Any way you spin it, the thoroughbred sector ends up with the short end of the stick.
Below is a press release issued by Great Canadian October 02, 2007.
DEVELOPMENT OF SLOT MACHINE FACILITY AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE
UPGRADING GAMING OFFERINGS AT FRASER DOWNS RACETRACK AND CASINO
October 2, 2007 – Richmond, BC – Great Canadian Gaming Corporation [TSX:GC] (the “Company”) announces an interim agreement with British Columbia Lottery Corporation (“BCLC”) whereby it will be proceeding with the introduction of slot machines at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia (“Hastings”)
DEVELOPMENT OF SLOT MACHINE FACILITY AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE
UPGRADING GAMING OFFERINGS AT FRASER DOWNS RACETRACK AND CASINO
October 2, 2007 – Richmond, BC – Great Canadian Gaming Corporation [TSX:GC] (the “Company”) announces an interim agreement with British Columbia Lottery Corporation (“BCLC”) whereby it will be proceeding with the introduction of slot machines at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia (“Hastings”)
“The history and tradition of the horse racing industry is important to Great Canadian. The contribution from slot machine revenues to the racing purse pool is a vital step towards rejuvenating the horse racing industry for all stakeholders through higher purse pools and stronger breeders programs. The redevelopment of Hastings Racecourse will modernize the facility and further improve the entertainment value for all visitors to Hastings.” Ross J. McLeod
Consistent with other British Columbia casinos, the Company will receive a BCLC service fee of 28% on slot net win (inclusive of Facility Development Commission (“FDC”)). In order to recover its capital investment on all phases of the Hastings redevelopment, the Company will be eligible to apply to BCLC for an additional commission of 2% on slot net win pursuant to BCLC’s policy of Accelerated Facility Development Commission (“AFDC”).
The Thoroughbred sector is ready to push forward as there are a number of bold ideas out there that are floating around. But we need our fair share of the funding. We are not receiving what was promised to us from the slot revenues. And we are not being treated fairly when it comes to the allotment percentages. By now the Management Racing Committees must agree that the percentages for the thoroughbred sector of 29.27% vs. 19.49% for the standardbred sector are grossly unfair. They do not reflect reality and must be adjusted.
Petition News
The petition that is well underway is still available to sign and can be found in the backstretch. For more details please contact Mel Snow at his barn or email him at mailto:melsnow@shaw.ca..
One strong united voice and only one, is required to represent the Thoroughbred sector. Now more than ever before, do we need to be together.
Under the Constitution of "The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of British Columbia" (HBPA) By-Law 4.5
The Board of Directors shall on the written requisition signed in one or more counterparts by not less than the greater of (a) 10% of the members in good standing: or (b) 200 members in good standing, or such other number as is required by the Act, convene a special general meeting of the members within 21 days of the date that the requisition is deposited. The requisition shall state the object of the meeting, set forth any proposed motions to be brought before the meeting, and be deposited with the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association. Petition
To the Board of Directors of the HBPA of BC.
The undersigned members of the HBPA believe it to be in the best interests of the thoroughbred horse industry of British Columbia that one group and only one group represent the interests of all of the owners and trainers in all matters relating to horse racing, including the management of the purse account. It is therefore requested that the board of Directors of the HBPA of BC use their best efforts to call for and establish an election between the HBPA of BC and BC TOBA to determine which group will be the sole representative of BC owners and trainers.
The petition that is well underway is still available to sign and can be found in the backstretch. For more details please contact Mel Snow at his barn or email him at mailto:melsnow@shaw.ca..
One strong united voice and only one, is required to represent the Thoroughbred sector. Now more than ever before, do we need to be together.
Under the Constitution of "The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of British Columbia" (HBPA) By-Law 4.5
The Board of Directors shall on the written requisition signed in one or more counterparts by not less than the greater of (a) 10% of the members in good standing: or (b) 200 members in good standing, or such other number as is required by the Act, convene a special general meeting of the members within 21 days of the date that the requisition is deposited. The requisition shall state the object of the meeting, set forth any proposed motions to be brought before the meeting, and be deposited with the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association. Petition
To the Board of Directors of the HBPA of BC.
The undersigned members of the HBPA believe it to be in the best interests of the thoroughbred horse industry of British Columbia that one group and only one group represent the interests of all of the owners and trainers in all matters relating to horse racing, including the management of the purse account. It is therefore requested that the board of Directors of the HBPA of BC use their best efforts to call for and establish an election between the HBPA of BC and BC TOBA to determine which group will be the sole representative of BC owners and trainers.
BC Cup
BC Cup (Aug 01) is soon going to be upon us. It is always a great day of racing and this year will prove to be no different. So to all owners and trainers, to all TBC staff and Great Canadian Executives and to the Management Racing Committee there is no finer setting then Hastings Racetrack to enjoy an afternoon of some of the best entertainment the city has to offer. I expect thousands to be at the track next Monday and I will be in my box taking note of who is not!!!!!!!!!!. Blog Blog Blog.
BC Cup (Aug 01) is soon going to be upon us. It is always a great day of racing and this year will prove to be no different. So to all owners and trainers, to all TBC staff and Great Canadian Executives and to the Management Racing Committee there is no finer setting then Hastings Racetrack to enjoy an afternoon of some of the best entertainment the city has to offer. I expect thousands to be at the track next Monday and I will be in my box taking note of who is not!!!!!!!!!!. Blog Blog Blog.
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