The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has announced that there will, in fact, be live Thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie Racetrack this year. Details will follow in the next couple of days.

In a statement, HPBA Ontario president, Sue Leslie, noted: “As our future is largely dependent on customers wagering on our product, it remains important that owners and trainers support the track by sending as many of their horses to contest at Fort Erie in 2013 in order to keep our field sizes large.

“During the coming months, the HBPA, through the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, will continue to press the Ontario government for the details on the integration of horse racing into the gaming strategy and it is hoped that by doing so, Fort Erie will begin to benefit from a new revenue stream.”