NEWS Updates
------------------------------------
April 25,2013 - Here is a sample letter that you may want to send to your MLA:
simply hil light it with your mouse, then right click copy then go to word and paste it. You can then customize as desired.
April , 2013
MLA for the riding of_______________________
Dear _______________________,
In the April 2013 budget the Provincial Government has proposed major reductions to two important sources of funding for the horse racing industry in Manitoba.
These reductions alter the racetrack's (ASD's) share of the revenue from the on-site VLT machines and redirect at least some of the pari mutuel tax revenues from the promotion of horse racing in Manitoba to the government's general revenue fund. Both of these revenue sources are raised entirely on site from patrons of the facility. That is to say, none of the financial support of ASD is from general tax revenue.
The proposed reductions will have such a negative impact on the operation of the only major race track in Manitoba that ASD may have to cease operations.
ASD provides essential revenue to fund the horse breeding and racing industry in Manitoba. Many of the horses racing at ASD are bred and raised in Manitoba. Hundreds of people are employed at the track, on farms and with various suppliers to the industry.
Persons directly and indirectly employed in the horse racing industry will suffer serious personal and financial consequences if they lose this employment.
I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to maintain and strive to increase, funding of horse racing in Manitoba. Horse racing is a vital part of our economy and a key tourist attraction.
Yours sincerely,
My Occupation/ Racing Involvement:
April 17, 2013 -
The Government has announced they will
"slash 5 million from public subsidies of 9.5 million to horse racing through legislative changes to the Pari Mutuel Levy Act and the Manitoba Jockey Club's VLT siteholder agreement"
Please contact your MLA to express your concern regarding the Mb Governments action to reduce funding of horse racing in Manitoba at Assiniboia Downs.
For a complete list of MLA’s and their contact info go to:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature
On left sidebar under Members
Click on; Alphabetical Listing
Or Constituency List
Which will provide you with their phone number, fax number, email address and their snail mail address.
April 13, 2013 - There are articles in the Saturday Wpg. Free Press written by Paul Wicek that will be of interest to all; "NDP can't break this horse:MJC" , "Jockeying for position", and "Doubts affecting Down's future" Plus an article written by a staff writer "Just whose money is it? "
If you would like to read the documents filed in court by the MJC requesting a judicial review of the government decision to reduce funding to ASD you can go to the Court of Queen's Bench counter at 400 York. there is a $5.00 fee to view or for about $35-$40 in quarters, you can make a photo copy (.25 per page) . OR you can visit the HBPA office and read our copy.
The file # is CI1-B-01-82759
April 10, 2013
Ap3- Check the Winnipeg Free Press April 10 edition under Opinion - The View From the West. There is a letter written by former Chairman of the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission, Wayne Anderson, which gives a very clear explanation of how horse racing is funded
April 4, 2013
There are a number of articles in the media. Google "Manitoba Jockey Club"
April 3,2013 - MJC Press Release:
MANITOBA JOCKEY CLUB GRANTED FULL, EXPEDITED JUDICIAL REVIEW
Also Ask RCMP to Investigate Possible Criminal Conduct
April 3, 2013 – The Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC) was granted a full, expedited Judicial Review Hearing in Queen’s Bench late yesterday afternoon – a process that can normally take many months to schedule. Given the urgency of the situation, the Judicial Review Hearing, under which legislative and executive actions are subject to review (and possible invalidation), will begin on April 26, 2013.
Also yesterday, the MJC filed a formal complaint and Request for Investigation with the Attorney General of Canada, RCMP National Headquarters and RCMP D Division in Winnipeg for offences potentially committed under the Criminal Code of Canada by the following:
Stan Struthers – Manitoba Minister of Finance;
Garth Rogerson – Chief Executive Officer, Red River Exhibition Association;
Angela Mathieson – former Secretary to the Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet;
David Miles – Chairman of the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission
Based on a supportive legal opinion provided by Hersh Wolch Q.C., a senior criminal lawyer and former federal prosecutor, the investigation, if the RCMP proceeds, would be in regard to an attempt by Garth Rogerson to acquire the MJC’s real estate asset (approximately valued at $70,000,000.00) through the use of confidential, cabinet privileged information and through access to Finance Minister Struther’s ability to manipulate the provincial budget for the purpose of bankrupting the Manitoba Jockey Club “by the end of March” if the MJC didn’t agree to the plan of Rogerson and Struthers, as stated by Rogerson in the Winnipeg Sun on January 31th, 2013.
The complaint concerns as yet unproven allegations relating to possible offences by Rogerson, Minister Struthers, Mathieson and Miles under the Criminal Code:
Section 122 – Breach of Trust by a Public Officer and; Sections 380(1) and (2) (Fraud) and/or conspiracy to commit these offences under section 465(1).
As stated in the Wolch opinion, “there is an overwhelming public interest in having these matters objectively subjected to a fair, impartial and unbiased police investigation.”
Assiniboia Downs is a half century old landmark entertainment facility and a major contributor to the Manitoba economy. It creates nearly 500 full-time jobs a year and has, over the past twenty years, contributed approximately $68 million in revenue to provincial coffers and the community.
Published in the Insider:
The non-profit Manitoba Jockey Club which operates Assiniboia Downs issued a press release yesterday which you can read here. In response to provincial government comments about the release, CEO Darren Dunn issued this statement:
Setting the record straight
While we believe it is important to not comment about matters before the courts, we have been made aware of false statements made by the province yesterday. I would like to set the record straight by telling you that Assiniboia Downs is 100 per cent funded by our patrons – so if Manitobans have never visited our venue, they have never provided financial support to us. We are an industry that creates tax dollars. We don’t spend them. In fact, all revenue for Assiniboia Downs is generated at Assiniboia Downs. Finally, the horse race industry provides full time employment for 500 Manitobans and has proudly contributed more than $68 million to government coffers and the community over the past 20 years. Our industry is about Tax Creation, Jobs, Agri-Business and Tourism.
March 30 2013- Wpg Free Press March 29 and 30th ...more articles
March 29, 2013 - An article was publish in the Winnipeg Sun "Manitoba Jockey Club suing Province over Assiniboia Downs takeover plan". You can read this article online if you check the Wpg Sun website and search "Manitoba Jockey Club"
March 29, 2013 Tickets now on sale for Awards Evening, Saturday April 20,2013
March 26, 2013 - 2013 NEW POST TIMES!!
7:30 P.M. Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
1:30 P.M.Sunday and Holiday cards
March 12, 2013 - After attending a meeting with the full boards of the MJC, CTHS and HBPA we can advise:
The MJC will not be going with the Red River Ex Plan.
ASD will run a 60 day meet.
The Graded Purse Schedule remains the same as previously announced last fall.
There are no changes to Stakes/ Stakes Purses (other than slight re arrangement of running dates)
The MJC has a plan to address the long term future of the horse racing industry in Manitoba, and they look forward to presenting that in the near future.
Opening day is May 5th, 2013 Bring your horses and let's RACE!!!
March 10, 2013 - 2012 HBPA Year end Award Nominees have been posted - See Backstretch
March 10, 2013 - All HBPA Members (MHRC Licensed Owners and Trainers) were invited to attend a presentation from Garth Rogerson, CEO of the Red River Exhibition Association, Saturday, March 9th 12 noon, main floor Assiniboia Downs Grandstand.
Several horsemen were in attendance and Mr. Rogerson replied to a large number of queries.
Representatives from the CTHS, HBPA, and MJC met later in the day with Mr. Rogerson and other RREA representatives.
The full boards of the CTHS and HBPA are set to meet with the MJC very shortly.
February 10, 2013 - HBPA President, Blair Miller, met today with representatives of the Manitoba Jockey Club and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society and had this to say, "Owners on the MJC Board expect their Trainers to return here for spring training. The training track and equiciser are scheduled to open March 1 (weather permitting) and trainers will be allowed to set up their barns around the 25th of February.
Feb 9, 2013 - Recent articles in the Winnipeg Free Press have reported that the Red River Exhibition desires to assume control of Assiniboia Downs. HBPA President, Blair Miller has returned to Winnipeg and is looking into the matter. He will participate in further meetings February 10th and 11th. At an HBPA Board Meeting today, Blair announced, "As far as we know, it's Business as Usual."
As we gain information we will advise via our website.
September 15, 2012
The three year term for the 2010 to 2012 HBPA Board of Directors came to a close September 15, 2012. Several members let their name stand for the next 3 years, however, we were sad to loose, Bill Drew, Jack Kane and our President, Jeff Goy.
Their tremendous efforts and contributions will be missed.
Serving from Sept 15, 2012 to 2015:
Executive:
Blair Miller - President
Jared Brown Vice-President
Blaine McLaren Vice-President
Joanie Hamilton Executive Director
Board Members:
Grant Buckoski
Connie Clausen
Steve Holborn
Murray Howell
Wayne King
Jodi Radul
Aaron Sayler
Chad Torevell
General Counsel - Greg Welch
2013 Race Meet Information
The HBPA and MJC have finalized the 2013 Graded Purse Schedule but have not finalized the HBPA/MJC contract or stakes schedule as yet. The bottoms purse will remain at $6500.
Contract negotiation is underway with the Jockey Guild of Canada for the 2013 meet.
Here's a look at the 2013 Graded Purse Schedule:
Waiver Claiming introduced for 2013
At the time of entry into a claiming race, the owner may opt to declare a horse ineligible to be claimed PROVIDED.....
1) THE HORSE HAS BEEN LAID OFF AND HAS NOT STARTED FOR A MINIMUM OF 180 DAYS SINCE ITS LAST START AND THE HORSE IS ENTERED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE PRICE AT WHICH IT LAST STARTED.
2) OPTING TO DECLARE A HORSE INELIGIBLE TO BE CLAIMED SHALL APPLY ONLY TO THE FIRST START FOLLOWING EACH SUCH LAYOFF.
3) FAILING TO DECLARE A HORSE INELIGIBLE TO BE CLAIMED WILL RESULT IN THE HORSE AUTOMATICALLY BEING AVAILABLE TO BE CLAIMED.
4)THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE MARATHON SERIES.
THE RACE OFFICE HAS ADVISED THEY WILL PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AS IT RELATES TO WRITING NEW, OR MODIFYING EXISTING CONDITIONS, TO SUIT THE HORSE SUPPLY ON THE GROUNDS.
September 2012 - CHANGES TO THE
HBPA YEAR END AWARD CRITERIA
Changes to HBPA Awards – 2013 Racing Season
STANDARD – Qualification for Awards: Minimum 2 starts that season at ASD for all (except special recognition award which has no restriction on number of starts ) STANDARD – Tiebreaker: 1) # of wins 2) $ earned
CLAIMER OF THE YEAR: (Non Voting Award)
- most # of wins in a claiming race
- Tiebreaker will be most money earned in claiming races
- Activity in non claiming races (eg ALW or STKS) does not affect qualification for this award (eg Horses can run in ALW or STKS or win ALW or STKS races and still qualify for this award).
- Award goes to the owner of record for the most wins or if the number of wins is tied, most earnings
NEW AWARD – CLAIM OF THE YEAR (Voting Award)
- Nominated horses will be listed on ballot
- Must have been claimed during the ASD meet
- Not necessarily horses with the most # wins or $ earned
- to recognize the most astute claim
NEW AWARDS – SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS (Non Voting Awards)
-Up to 3 awarded per year
-To be submitted by any member for consideration
- Selected by the HBPA Awards Committee
- To recognize special achievements that would not necessarily qualify for other awards (eg. A horse that broke a track record or won a race by and amazing number of lengths or overcame significant circumstances –no restriction on the number of times it started).
Passages:
Barry McQueen - March 22, 2013
John Kolochuk - January 14, 2013
Carren Wedge (nee Richardson) September 22, 2012
Jason MacKenzie, of Pipestone, Mb. In September 2012 at the early age of 35.
