Report prescribes subsidies for Fort

FORT ERIE, Ontario - The drop in revenue at border tracks such as Fort Erie and Windsor got some attention last week in the 80-page report released by the Ontario government's industry review panel.

The report, which assessed the province's horse racing industry, cited the falling U.S. dollar and increased competition due to the proliferation of alternative gambling facilities in the region as reasons for the declines.

The report suggests that subsidies for the operation of Fort Erie Race Track be instituted until the track's owner, Nordic Gaming Corp., completes its $300 million development project, which is currently on the drawing board.

The development project is now under a joint detailed study by the track owner and the Fort Erie Economic and Tourism Corp. It will be located next to Fort Erie and includes a four-star hotel, condominiums, and an entertainment complex.

Better break could be the difference

A horse race is sometimes lost at the break. Recently, three horses have had trouble leaving the gate and have not run to their potential. Those horses - Multi Deed, Northern Bounty, and One for Franco - are worth consideration in their upcoming races.

Multi Deed was off slowly and trailed, gained ground from the rail, and led into the final furlong with an impressive rally. He hung in the late going and finished fourth.

Northern Bounty, the favorite, stumbled leaving the gate, then was hustled up to engage the front-runners. He dueled three wide before tiring to seventh.

One for Franco, in the outside post going a route of ground, was bothered at the break, got away slowly, and lost precious lengths. He made up ground in a good recovery run and finished willingly to be fourth.

Beckon ahead by open lengths

Chad Beckon continues to lead the jockey colony here by a wide margin. He has 31 wins, followed by Chris Griffith, who has 15, and Rui Pimentel and Cory Clark, both with 14.

John Simms and Don MacRae are tied for leading trainer with eight wins each.