Lack of new track in N.B. disappoints P.E.I. harness racers

Harness Racing PEI, the organization that manages P.E.I.'s largest harness racing track, says it's disappointed to hear that a new casino in Moncton, N.B., won't include a race track.

The $90-million casino and hotel complex will be built next to the outdoor concert site in Magnetic Hill.

Harness racing enthusiasts in New Brunswick had hoped their government would have included a track as part of the plan, and horse owners on P.E.I. also wanted to see another track in the Maritimes.

Lee Drake, director of marketing for Harness Racing PEI,  which oversees the management of harness racing programs at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre, said race tracks work well with other attractions to promote tourism.

"Successful  junior teams, hockey teams, you have race tracks, you have investment in those areas," Drake told CBC News Monday.

"You cross-promote each other's venues and put on different events, and they all work well, always have. There's strength in numbers."

Drake said he's optimistic the New Brunswick government will eventually help that province's harness racing industry. Although there were no plans for a new race track at the proposed Moncton casino, Premier Shawn Graham has said publicly that his government is not about to abandon harness racing.