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Veteran Hastings jockey on his horse to Auburn
By Mike Howell-Staff writer
With Hastings Racecourse for sale and city council still unsure whether it will approve slot machines for the money-losing track, veteran jockey Larry Lacoursiere is heading south.
The 38-year-old jockey, who made a comeback to Hastings Racecourse last season, will be riding horses at a new track in Auburn, Wash.
After netting a measly $20,000 last season from racing the maximum of two days a week, Lacoursiere said he needs to earn more money through regular races.
"With so much uncertainty here, there's really no opportunity," said Lacoursiere, who planned to spend the weekend in Seattle searching for an apartment.
The track in Auburn is open four days a week, and Lacoursiere is hoping a good season there could lead to work at other tracks in the U.S.
He's not sure how many jockeys will follow suit, but as long as the track continues to only offer two racing days, Lacoursiere believes riders will easily be lured to other tracks.
"Racing two days a week, as far as I'm concerned, it's a bush league. I don't know how in [the track's] infinite wisdom they every came to the conclusion that this was the way to go."
The track's popularity has plummeted in recent years, forcing the scaling back of race days. In 1982, $146 million was wagered on live horse races, but by 2002, that had dropped dramatically to $24 million.
Although attendance and wagering have improved under new owners Woodbine Entertainment Group, the Ontario-based company announced Wednesday it was putting the track up for sale.
Phil Heard, CEO of Hastings Racecourse, did not return the Courier's calls by Friday's press deadline.
Woodbine's CEO David Willmot refused to comment on the reason for the sale, but issued a press release saying it's become apparent that Woodbine will not be able to operate and develop Hastings Racecourse "to the standards originally anticipated when we acquired Hastings."
Despite the announcement of the sale, the track's proposal to add up to 900 slots to the facility is still in the works, said city social planner Mario Lee, who has written several reports on slots in Vancouver.
Lee said council plans to consider at a June 8 council meeting whether to refer the controversial proposal to a public hearing.
Uncertainty about the track's future doesn't bother 59-year-old horse trainer Harold Barroby, who has faith that Solicitor General Rich Coleman, who's responsible for gaming, will save the horse-racing industry. Barroby, who has worked at the track since 1974, said he's met with Coleman, who told him not to worry about the future of the track.
"He said racing will be looked after, and I take his word. He's a very good man and I think he will help see the industry through it. It's too big of an industry to lose."
Great Canadian Casinos is reportedly interested in seeing if the track would be a viable addition to its company. No asking price has been revealed.
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