Longtime harness racing fan, Mike Taney of Toronto, wants his harness racing back in action in Ontario. He has been a major advocate these past weeks, calling upon industry officials and government representatives to allow racing to resume.
Tanev knows what he is talking about, having both his sons, Branden and Chris Tanev, playing in the NHL, which is active during the current pandemic.
"The province has allowed the NHL to play because the NHL has strict protocols in place," Tanev explained. "Like player testing on a daily basis, which the teams are paying for. If horse racing followed the exact same protocols that the NHL is doing then there should be no reason that horse racing should be allowed.
"I think we got a little good news today," Tanev said. "Jim Lawson, the CEO of Woodbine Entertainment sent out a positive letter about racing getting underway maybe by the end of February. Now, we understand that the Ontario Government could announce Monday that it is lifting some of the restrictions and that might include racing."
Racing has been shutdown in Ontario since December.
"I have been a proponent to bring back racing for the past three weeks," Tanev added. "Talking with Jim Lawson and Bill O'Donnell with the horsemen, trying to get everyone to get to the Government officials to arrange with the health ministers to have the same Covid-19 protocols as the NHL is doing and allow racing to resume.
"The NHL did what they had to do," Tanev said. "And they used their lawyers and got permission to compete. Harness racing is willing to do the same and we need to push hard to get racing back again.
"I'm not beating up on anyone," Tanev explained. "But if racing restrictions are not lifted, then we are not getting to the right people and have to try harder.
"I think the return for racing is predicated on the Thoroughbreds," Tanev said. "They need to be on the grounds at Woodbine by the end of February and be able to work out. So, putting two and two together I think that by the 18th or 22nd of February we will be able to have harness racing return in Ontario.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed," Tanev laughed. "Nobody knows which way the announcements will go on Monday.
Tanev first caught the racing bug more than 40 years ago.
"A buddy of mine who I use to play baseball with, Randy McCormick, back in the 1970's for East York team, told me he was going to the track one night and if I wanted to go with him. I said sure.
"It was funny," Tanev recalled. "I had $20 in the pocket, I'm at the track, don't know anything about it. I think I bet a horse to win and an exactor and I won. I turned to Randy and asked him how long has this been going on. Now it's been nearly 44 years and I still love it."
By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink