Decades of harness racing in Saint John appear to be coming to an end.
The final live card of racing at Exhibition Park Raceway is set for this weekend.
In a statement, the association said its mandate is to provide service to the community by making the best use of the lands and facilities.
“The Board of Directors has decided to position itself to be able to explore opportunities that may have the potential to make better use of the lands and facilities thus providing a greater service to the greater Saint John community,” said the statement.
Our newsroom reached out to Brock McEachern, president of Horse Racing New Brunswick, who was unavailable for an interview.
But he told Standardbred Canada’s Trot Insider that the organization made two offers to the association — which included increased rent — but they were declined.
“They’ve never given us a reason why other than that one small statement that they’re exploring new options. They’re ending 150 years of racing in Saint John without a why,” McEachern told the online publication.
Horse Racing New Brunswick reportedly has its sights set on Woodstock to continue racing in 2023.
In the meantime, more than $58,000 in purse money is expected to be doled out for this weekend’s seven-dash program. It is currently scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.
