In a memo issued January 3rd The management of Northfield Park a harness racing track outside of Cleveland Ohio has started to ask horsemen to leave the grounds.
At issue is a dispute over the tracks simulcast signal. The Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association alleges that Northfield Park has sent its signal to 20 unapproved locations and has taken Northfield Park to court over the issue.
Under terms of a court settlement Northfield Park will stop sending its simulcast signal to the unapproved locations but states that doing so will result in a loss of 1 million dollars in revenue annually. Due to this loss in revenue Northfield Park says it must implement new backstretch operational procedures.
Included in these changes is the reduction of the barn area with the first set of trainers being asked to be off the grounds by January 14th. Also an support staff that works for trainers being asked to leave the grounds that live in the dorms at the track must also vacated the grounds.
Other changes being made are the closing of the equine swimming pool and the reduction of training and jogging hours on the main and secondary training tracks from 8am to 1pm Monday thru Saturday with no jogging or training being allowed on Sundays.
Northfield Park also states other changes may be made as seen necessary to implement the changes in backstretch operations.
In the memo Northfield Park asks any horsemen with questions about the changes to refer them to the OHHA. When asked for a comment on this story Northfield Park asked for any questions to referred to their attorneys.
Raymond K. Lance