FOUR-YEAR DEAL FOR FRASER DOWNS
Chuck Keeling, vice-president of racing
operations for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) and
Jim Vinnell, president of the B.C. Standardbred Association,
confirmed March 6 in a joint announcement a four-year
agreement that will result in 107 racing days at Fraser
Downs Racetrack & Casino on a September through June
schedule.
In racing terms, it was perhaps fitting
that negotiations “came down to the wire” after year-long
discussions between the two parties concerned about the
growth of the Standardbred industry in British Columbia.
“Longevity was the main concern of our
horsemen,” Vinnell said. “This agreement stabilizes things
in the sense an owner now knows when he buys a horse to race
at Fraser Downs there’s a four-year plan in place to cover
his investment. I can tell you, there is plenty of
excitement among our people in the backstretch.”
Keeling said, “We’re very pleased that
both parties were able to find common ground through
compromise to make this deal happen. It provides the
horsemen with the support they were looking for and will
create exciting new promotional opportunities for open
stakes racing at Fraser Downs, which is something we have
not had before.”
David Aldred, executive director of the
B.C. Standardbred Association and B.C. Standardbred Breeders
Society, added, “For the first time a major commitment has
been made towards the scheduling of open stakes at Fraser
Downs.
“Our aim is to develop some signature
stakes for the local season with a view to have a major
stakes program in British Columbia during the 2010 Olympics’
year.
“We’ve now given the horsemen the
platform that’s been needed. With an extension of the live
racing season, this agreement gives us all a sense of
certainty.”
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