Extra races sought for next year
Future looks bright with done slots deal and fans vocal for more
Unlike 2018, Kawartha Downs’ 2019 season ended Saturday with certainty that racing will return in 2020.
It wasn’t clear there would be a 2019 season until well into the winter when the track signed onto Ontario Racing following a deal brokered by the new Conservative government to retain slot machines at the Fraserville standardbred facility.
Also this season, ownership was clarified when Romspen Investments Corp. purchased the Downs, bringing it out of more than two years in receivership. Romspen announced its commitment to continue operating as a harness racing facility with Great Canadian Gaming leasing the adjoining casino.
The agreement with Ontario
Racing expires at the end of the 2020 season. While Ontario Racing officials have voiced their support to keep the track operating, general manager Orazio Valente says nothing is certain until a new agreement is signed. Based on on-site wagering and casino revenues he believes the track is meeting its targets to satisfy both Ontario Racing and Great Canadian Gaming that both entities are viable.
What he is hoping for, and there are no guarantees the funding will be there, is additional race dates to help grow the business and provide a greater livelihood for area horsepeople, he said. This year, Kawartha Downs was granted 21 dates on consecutive Saturday nights from May 11 to Sept. 28, three more than in 2018.
“The message from our patrons and our local horse community is quite clear,” said Valente. “They want to see a significant growth in race dates at Kawartha Downs. I see the potential for growth in the summer months, possibly going to two races (per week). The other strategy is to carry on the calendar further into the fall.”
Local Ontario Harness Horse Association rep Dave Gibson said more dates would help but he doubts the funding is there to make it happen.
“The summer went well and we had really good attendance all year and lots of support from the community,” said Gibson.
“Unfortunately, now people like myself have to start shipping horses across Toronto to go racing in southwestern Ontario for the next six or seven months. It adds a lot of expense and a lot of time but there is really nothing we can do about it. We’re really at the mercy of the people who make the decisions.”
Betting was down this year from 2018 but Valente believes it was circumstantial and will improve.
“We encountered hiccups when we changed the betting technology at the start of the season which caused some problems early on,” he said.
He expects wagering to increase when high-definition cameras are installed for 2020, a year later than planned, to open up off-track betting. “Which will help us immensely,” he said.
Gibson said the new machines allow for a 20 cent bet while the minimum on old machines was $1.
“I think that has something to do with it,” said Gibson.
“People can still bet the same amount of horses in the same way they did but it costs them less.”
The track is eligible to apply for some of the $6 million available to Ontario tracks annually for facility upgrades.
“As you walk through Kawartha Downs two things become apparent: The excitement of the crowds each week but the second thing is a lot of our equipment is outdated,” he said.
A new tote board to replace the 40-year-old board, which malfunctioned several times this year, is priority one. The stables and grandstand could also use upgrades.
“The entire facility has been falling behind in terms of regular maintenance and capital improvements,” said Valente.
While there remains some uncertainty long-term for KD, Valente sees reasons for optimism.
“Contractually, any changes in racing schedules would have to be ultimately approved by the government,” he said.
“The current government has made a very public commitment to Kawartha Downs.”