“Unfortunately, due to the continuous rainfall throughout the day we could not carry out the remainder of the card,” said Drew Cady, the general manager for the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC). “Despite our shortened card today, we still had a tremendous season, one in which we were able to welcome back fans who missed out on the 2020 racing season due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

The leading rider at this year's meet, Chris Husbands scored 52 wins during the 124th racing season at the border oval. Some of those victories included back-to-back wins with Fort fan-favourite Pepperoni (Jul. 26 /Aug. 31) as well as Wheat King (Jun. 22/29). Husbands also rode Red Equinox to victory in the Rondeau Bay Stakes on Prince of Wales Day, Sept. 14.

“I had a really good start and I just continued on that momentum. I was blessed to ride good horses. The owners and trainers gave me good horses, which I really appreciated. Thanks to all the owners and trainers who gave me a shot and the opportunity,” said Husbands.

Trainer Julie Mathes secured the title of leading trainer for a second year in a row. During the 2021 season, Mathes won 23 races. On yesterday's card she secured a victory with Team Win (in race nine) with jockey Omar Moreno aboard. In 2020, Mathes secured 29 wins. Bruno Schickedanz secured 16 wins, giving him the title of top owner at the border oval this year.

While yesterday's ten-race card saw over a million in wagering, the shortened card on Tuesday saw close to $400,000 in wagering. In total, Fort Erie had $28.6 million in wagering for 2021.

With this racing season in the books, the border oval looks ahead to next year's meet and has applied for 40 race days, operating on mostly Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning May 31 through to October 18.

For more information about Fort Erie Race Track, visit www.forterieracing.com.

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“We are overjoyed to have spectators returning to the track,” said Drew Cady, the general manager of FELRC. “Of course, we remain extremely cautious about reopening our doors to spectators as the safety of all our horse people and staff remains the top priority.”

The border oval's racing season began on June 15 and the track will continue to offer live racing Monday and Tuesday afternoons until the end of October.

On July 5, the track will allow AGCO licensees to register online to attend upcoming racing days.

“Starting next week, we will allow people holding an AGCO license to have access to the track,” said Cady. “The horse owners – all the people who've continually footed the bill for their horses over the last several months can finally be trackside to see their horses run.”

On Monday, July 12 Fort Erie Race Track will be open to a limited number of spectators. Each spectator must reserve a spot online through forterieracing.com. Spectators will not be permitted on the property if they have not pre-registered online. Please note, everyone's temperature will be taken as part of the screening process to gain entry to the track upon arrival at the track. While visiting the track, wearing a mask is mandatory and must be worn at all times.

Covid-19 protocols remain in effect and will be monitored. Indoor areas of the track such as the Racebook and indoor dining areas remain closed. Spectators onsite will have access to washrooms and two outdoor BBQ food services; trackside at the Tikki Bar and as well as the Paddock Shack across from the paddock area.

Further details on the registration process will be available later this week on their website: www.forterieracing.com

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The 124-year-old border oval will feature racing on Mondays at 1 p.m. as well as twilight racing on Tuesday afternoons commencing at 4 p.m. Enhanced racing COVID protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of all racing participants.

The opening day card will include two Cup races: The Sprint into Summer and the Summer Solstice Cup. The Sprint into Summer is for colts and geldings (maidens), aged three or older going five furlongs on the dirt. The Summer Solstice is for fillies and mares (maidens), aged three or older going five furlongs on the dirt as well.

“We wanted to start off this season with a strong card and we think the Cup races are a great addition to our opening day,” said Drew Cady, the general manager of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. “Every horseperson has been working hard to prepare their horses for this year's meet and we believe it will be a great season despite delays due to the provincial lockdown.”

The Prince of Wales Stakes is scheduled to take place at the end of summer on Tuesday, September 14. The $400,000 race will feature Canada's finest three-year-old thoroughbreds, running 1 mile and 3/16 on Fort Erie's dirt track. Given the current COVID-19 restrictions it remains uncertain whether fans will be able to attend the 86th running of the second jewel in the OLG Canadian Triple Crown.

While fans are not able to attend live racing, they can watch racing online at www.forterieracing.com/streaming-and-replays. Wagering on horse racing in Ontario will be available through www.hpibet.com.

For more information on the upcoming 2021 racing season please visit www.forterieracing.com.

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Thursday, the Government of Ontario announced a three-step plan to gradually reopen the economy. Horse racing will be allowed to reopen in Step One of their 'Roadmap to Reopen.' Live racing will resume on June 15 pending the province meets its target to complete 60 percent of first dose COVID-19 vaccinations for adults in Ontario.

“We are very grateful that the province has recognized the importance of racing in Ontario in Step One of their 'Roadmap to Reopen,” said Drew Cady, general manager of the FELRC. “All the horse people at the Fort are following strict COVID-19 protocols in order to get this racing season up and going as soon as possible.”

Live racing at the border oval will take place on Mondays at 1 p.m. as well as Tuesday afternoons at 4 p.m. Following strict COVID-19 protocols in line with the provincial government, the track will remain closed to spectators. The backstretch remains open to essential workers who oversee the care of the horses.

Three race days will be lost at the start of the season. The FELRC may consider adding these race days at the end of the season, however, this is to be confirmed and pending regulatory approvals. Despite the delayed meet, Fort Erie has increased the number of race days from 40 to 42 for the 2021 racing season.

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The race is the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, between the Queen's Plate (scheduled for Aug. 22), and the Breeders' Stakes, both held at Woodbine Racetrack.

For the second year in a row COVID-19 has pushed the race from its traditional date at the end of July to September. It is too early to predict if fans will be permitted to attend, or if COVID-19 will continue to impact attendance.

“This event is our most prestigious race at Fort Erie Race Track, and we are committed to running this historic race for the 86th year,” said Drew Cady, general manager of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. “Although we were able to safely host a racing season last year, it wasn't the same without fans. We hope that in the upcoming season we will once again be able to open our grandstand to our loyal fans, especially for our signature day.”

In 2020, the one-eyed Mighty Heart was the Prince of Wales Stakes victor with jockey Daisuke Fukumoto. Trained by Josie Carroll for Lawrence Cordes, Mighty Heart captured the first two jewels of the crown but was defeated on the turf in the Breeders' Stakes. The last horse to win all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown was Wando in 2003.

Fort Erie Race Track's 2021 season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 1 at a 4:00 p.m. post time, and will run primarily Mondays and Tuesdays through to October 19.

For more information about the upcoming season visit www.FortErieRacing.com.

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