Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Innovation at Georgian Downs

March 23, 2006

Georgian Downs will host X-treme Horsepower on July 14, featuring, featuring a unique set of races which will consist of everything from an eighth of a mile sprint to a five lap (3-1/8 mile) enduro event. The longer distance races will also
incorporate larger field sizes with up to 18 horses in some events. An invitational match race featuring two top ranked equine stars will also be carded.

"This will be a day like no other in Canadian harness racing history," said Chris Roberts, Director of Operations at Georgian Downs. "Based on the execution and feedback of this event, Georgian looks forward to adopting some of the innovative ideas and becoming a hotbed for change. We are very excited to have been given the opportunity to be the host track for X-treme Horsepower."

"The Ontario Harness Horse Association fully supports X-treme Horsepower," said John Walzak, Chief Operating Officer of the Ontario Harness Horse Association. "Feedback from the horsemen has been extremely positive. This event will show our current customers and the general public that the harness racing industry is amenable to change and committed to delivering a first class product on track."

A condition sheet for X-treme Horsepower is almost finalized and will be released shortly so that horsemen can start to think about prepping horses. Standardbred Canada is hopeful that horsemen across the province will begin to consider horses that could fit into these different races which will span several classes.