Fort Erie asks fewer dates in 2012

Fort Erie Race Track has submitted an application to the Ontario Racing Commission for 69 live Thoroughbred racing dates for 2012.

The meeting would begin Sunday, May 6 and end on Tuesday, Oct. 16

This year’s 78-day meeting began Saturday, May 7, and will wind up on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

“Market conditions and financial constraints associated with operating Thoroughbred racing in Ontario played a major part in the change in dates,” said Jim Thibert, chief operating officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, in a press release sent out late Tuesday afternoon.

Fort Erie also plans to apply for six to seven Quarter Horse racing days in late September and early October.