Trey’s Two Cents Worth: Let’s clear the air

This will be a different edition of Trey’s Two Cents, and I will use my platform to clear the air on a few things regarding the local harness racing industry here in Manitoba, Canada.

In my first Trey’s Two Cents, I touched on some issues that have been bothering me that have been going on, and I voiced my opinion quite clearly. However, it has recently come to my attention that there was a misunderstanding between that article and a Twitter poll I published a few months ago.

The Twitter poll asked if harness racing fans would support a track or harness racing organization that deliberately made obstacles for out-of-provinces horsemen and women. I should have clarified that this was no attempt to belittle the hard work of the Manitoba Standardbred Racing Industry (MSRI) or the Red River Exhibition Association, who is the organization behind the building of the new local racetrack, the Loop, has done to this point. The poll was merely to stop some barnyard rumours that were going around and to show that the fans would not support such a thing.

There was a growing fear amongst many local breeders, trainers and drivers that things were heading where it would become difficult for “outsiders” to come and participate in racing, but that was never an official message from track or MSRI representatives.

I have been a lifelong fan of harness racing in Manitoba. My primary mission in becoming a sports journalist has always been to help raise local voices to ensure they can be heard. I do not work for the Loop or MSRI, so it will likely come off as if I am overly critical of those two organizations, but that is the main point of my job.

But that also means I must give credit when credit is due, and I need to provide that to my local track and harness racing organization.

Harness racing in Manitoba has unfortunately been struggling to survive for some time. Purse sizes have been barely anything to help local breeders, and owners get by. However, the partnership with the Red River Exhibition Association has provided needed stability. It will give Manitoba harness racing a home just on the outskirts of a city with a population of around one million. That is not too shabby considering that racing has happened in small communities for the last few decades, and the population is lucky if it was pushing 1,000 residents. Also, the Red River Ex fairgrounds are next-door neighbours to Assiniboia Downs. Assininboia Downs has been a decent thoroughbred track for some time.

This added stability from partnering with one of the largest agricultural non-profits in Manitoba has been a massive factor in the Manitoba Provincial Government considering giving significant finical aid to the harness racing industry. The full details behind the funding still need to be discovered, but there is no doubt in mind it would not be on the table if it weren’t for the new partnership between MSRI and the Red River Exhibition Association.

I do not work for the Red River Exhibition Association, the Loop or MSRI, so I don’t have a horse in the race for the industry’s success other than I wish the best for everyone involved because the local community is full of great people.

However, my support comes with a stipulation that you will also receive my harsh criticism when it is warranted. Yes, the future is bright for harness racing in Manitoba, but communication needs to be improved. There is not an induvial that my finger is pointing at. Still, over the last calendar year, more communication has been needed between the Red River Exhibition Association, MSRI and the Manitoba Provincial government. If I were a gambling man, I would put my money down that the lack of transparency stems from the provincial government because it is well-known that government institutions like to take their time.

But now we are only two months away from the tentative opening day at the Loop, and there are no confirmed race dates, stake schedule or any concrete reassurance to the horsemen and owners that racing is happening.

As the self-proclaimed “Mr. Manitoba,” I receive my fair share of texts questioning what is happening, and I always have to answer with a shrug emoticon. It is natural to have concerns and doubts because this game is people’s livelihoods.

I have no doubt the MSRI and the Loop are doing everything they can to get this information out to the people as soon as possible. We have a rare opportunity in Manitoba, where we received new life with the Loop, especially when we see countless tracks shut down across North America.

The Red River Exhibition Association is a non-profit organization that’s main objective is to grow Manitoba’s tourism, commerce and agriculture. The bottom line dollar amount should be little issue for the next several years, and harness racing should be given a long enough leash to grow.

My only concern is that the opportunity will be squandered, and the new track will be all for nothing. The moment must be seized, and we have the right people in place who can do something unique with it, but everyone needs to share that common goal. My first Two Cents Worth article only tried to voice that need and never intended to point fingers at any individuals. However, the harness racing community in Manitoba needs leadership to take charge and stir the local industry into being the powerhouse it could be.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink