Rideau Carleton Raceway is about to bring back live harness racing this week, as it was officially revealed. June 7 is expected to see the launch of the 2020 live racing schedule on the premises of the Ottawa horse racing hotspot. For the time being, no spectators would be allowed at the live races, but they will have the chance to watch all events online.
Horse people of Ottawa have been looking forward to this moment when they will be able to watch their favorite horse racing events taking place at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Fans will have the chance to watch the races live and even place wagers on them, making the experience more enhanced, as Andy Wright, Director of Rideau Carleton, stated.
Live Racing Returns
It should be taken into account that the only thing opening on the premises of the raceway will be its horse racing division. Hard Rock Ottawa Casino is about to remain closed for the time being, as physical distancing is the recommended practice. Regardless of this, the launch of live racing on the premises of the raceway is expected to guarantee the support horse people need.
Mr. Wright stated that this greenlighting has been anticipated for quite a while, as a factor that could alleviate the uncertain situation the world is in right now. The return of live events would mean fuel for the purses and continuous support for the horse people of Ottawa. Ontario’s government included horse racetracks across the province in the first phase of the businesses reopening plan.
This decision was welcomed by large racetracks such as Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Rideau Carleton Raceway is currently preparing for the official launch on June 7, as various health protocols should be implemented. Workers and horse people should be protected at all costs, which calls for the introduction of the measures outlined by the public health agencies.
Horse People Supported
June 3 is expected to see the qualifying race for the June 7 official start. The Wednesday action is about to commence at 11 a.m. at the raceway. Mr. Wright also made it clear that the schedule for live races at Rideau Carleton Raceway is about to follow a familiar pattern. Thursdays are about to see live racing starting at 4 p.m., whereas Sundays will bring races with a post time of 6:30 p.m.
HorsePlayerInteractive TV at hpibet.com is going to give horseracing fans the chance to watch all events online and place wagers on them just like they would do in person. It could be recalled that mid-March, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced an orderly shutdown of all casinos across Ontario. This included the Hard Rock Casino adjacent to Rideau Carleton Raceway, a move that left many staff members temporarily laid off.
Rideau-Carleton Casino is the gaming venue responsible for the substantial financial support Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation allocates at the end of every quarter of the fiscal year. Stittsville’s suburban community of Ottawa welcomed a share of the overall sum for the Greely West Park development at the beginning of 2020. Back in the spring of 2018, a CA$318 million expansion including a redevelopment of the existing Rideau Carleton Raceway was approved.
