Kawartha Downs season expected to expand next year

21 consecutive Saturday night races starting May 11 expected, up from 18 in recent seasons

FRASERVILLE — It looks like Kawartha Downs will have a slightly expanded race schedule for 2019 once it receives its race licence for next season.

A few eyebrows were raised on Dec. 4 when the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) released racing dates for all Ontario horse racing tracks except Kawartha Downs. At the time, it stated the KD request was still under review.

There is a three-step process for approval of race dates. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has to approve the funding, Ontario Racing has to approve the track’s date requests and the AGCO has to approve the track’s licence application.

Ray Kahnert, AGCO senior adviser, communications and corporate affairs division, confirmed on Friday that OLG and Ontario Racing have approved the funding and schedule for 21 race dates in 2019. That’s up from the 18 race dates in recent years.

“To operate a racetrack in the Province of Ontario, and for dates to be approved, a racetrack operator must be licensed by the AGCO,” stated Kahnert, in an email.

“Kawartha submitted their application for this licence on Dec. 3. That application is now being processed and reviewed.”

“On Dec. 7, OLG and Ontario Racing submitted to the AGCO their recommendation to approve a schedule of 21 race days for Kawartha,” Kahnert stated.

Kawartha Downs general manager Orazio Valente said it’s taken a little longer than the other tracks because KD has a new and different funding agreement with the province from the other racetracks.

Twelve of 15 tracks signed a 19-year funding agreement with the previous Liberal government in the spring. KD was one of three tracks not to sign the agreement. The other two tracks have two years left on a previous funding agreement but KD’s funding agreement expired at the end of the 2018 season in October.

In November, the Downs reached a two-year agreement with the new Conservative government which provides $200,000 annually to fund races while being allowed to keep 150 slot machines after Shorelines Slots left the Fraserville facility for the new Shorelines Casino Peterborough at Crawford Drive and The Parkway.

The slots in Fraserville have been closed for renovations since the new casino opened on Oct. 15, but there’s been no word on when they will reopen.

Valente said he fully expects the AGCO to approve KD’s licence no different than any other year.

“A few eyebrows were raised when those race dates were released a couple of weeks ago,” said Valente, “but there is no reason for eyebrows to be raised. There is nothing to be concerned about.”

He said KD’s application is just working its way through administrative channels.

Once approved the 2019 season is expected to open on May 11 and run for 21 consecutive Saturday nights.