Glen Todd.
Thanks to owner-trainer Glen Todd, the meet at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, BC, will continue until at least Tuesday, August 31. The meet was scheduled to run through October 25, but there was not enough purse money to keep the races going past August 2 until Todd stepped up with a generous $1 million interest-free loan,
“This is great news and the first step in extending our season into the fall,” Dave Milburn, president of the local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, told Daily Racing Form. “Our thanks go to Glen for stepping up the plate.” He is hoping the BC government will chip in to help fund purses to the originally-scheduled end of the meet. “We continue to engage with government with the hope of a positive outcome.”
The government has denied previous requests for help for the industry. The HBPA is working with Harness Racing B.C. in lobbying the government and the groups are now in discussions directly with the provincial premier the Honourable John Horgan’s office.
“There are a lot of people here who really care about the industry, including me,” said Todd. “I am just trying to do my part to keep things going.”
Monday, July 5th will be the first time since 2020 that fans will be allowed at the tracks; including the casino, 500 people will be allowed on site.
~with files from DRF
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