LACOMBE — Robert Allen admits it’s been a struggle to keep his head above water in the world of harness racing.
The owner of Alberta Downs racetrack near Lacombe said Saturday the racing season kicked off on March 12.
The track couldn’t get an odds board so had to ship one in from Florida at a cost of about $80,000.
The province didn’t allow betting for the first few weeks but Allen said races were conducted anyway.
Sitting in the TV monitor control room, Allen pointed to one set and said if he’s allowed to have online betting on the Internet that will help a great deal.
“If the government allows home betting that will be a big help. Then we might have a chance.”
He said dealing with the government is tough at times.
“Sometimes it seems like you’re dealing with 17 departments,” Allen added.
Allen said the betting intake has been around an average of about $20,000, which isn’t too bad for a track, he said.
The top betting day this season so far was more than $25,000 one day last weekend.
Northlands in Edmonton averages a daily intake of about $60,000 as a comparison. Northlands will only have 38 harness racing dates this year.
The best news this season is that Alberta Downs is set for 80 race days compared with about 50 last year.
Allen also said the province has allowed him to install VLT machines.
Allen doesn’t deny there is plenty of work still to be done at Alberta Downs, but there are encouraging signs for the B-circuit track.
Wagering has tripled from the first year of operation and conditions have improved for bettors and horsemen.
Work on the grandstand area is coming along.
Unlike opening day 2009, there is now a grandstand with covered indoor seating, indoor washrooms and more food concessions.
Alberta Downs employs about 40 people including horsemen in the grandstand area and about another 200 support staff taking care of hundreds of horses and equipment.
The long winter didn’t help much either and caused some damage to one portion of the track.
However, the mile- long track is now top notch, Allen said.
“It really allows the horses to shine. The times are very fast, and the drivers love it.”
Driver-trainer Connie Kolthammer of Falun said the track is excellent.
Kolthammer drove Outlaw I See Red to a victory in the first race, which saw the animal pay a solid $21.70 to win, $7.60 to show and $4.50 to place.
The Creston, B. C., native said she’s been driving and training horses since 2004.
She’s one of a handful of women in the sport.
Kolthammer said she was persuaded to get involved in driving by her husband, Jim Rogers.
“I was involved in breaking and training them before so now I’m driving and it’s great. The other guys are just great and helpful,” she said.
Allen said the standardbred industry owners and drivers are fighting through the difficult times.
“They tend to band together to try and work things out and save the industry but all the thoroughbred guys do is fight.
“It will be a real shame if this industry goes down. This is horse and cattle country.”
Allen hopes to make improvements to the grandstand by putting in sloped grandstand seating.
Alberta Downs offers live racing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Action will continue at Alberta Downs until Sept. 25.
Races start at 1:35 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday while post times on Monday is 5:05 p.m.
Admission is free. For more information, visit www.albertadowns.com.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com