Standardbred Owners Association of New York recently made it clear that horse racing enthusiasts might see the return of live racing in the foreseeable future. Yonkers Raceway could reopen by the end of this month, as President Joe Faraldo recently confirmed. He also pointed out that this comes with its various challenges and requirements.
Horse people across New York State have been looking forward to the moment when they would return to live horse racing once again and be able to rely on the steady income of regular Standardbred races. Over the past couple of months, they were unable to do so, as physical distancing is still the recommended practice and live races were postponed. Now it is time for some changes.
Standardbred Owners Association of New York
Yonkers Raceway has the capacity to entertain individuals across the region with its diverse gaming and live entertainment products. Along with the live horse racing available on the premises of the racecourse individuals also have the chance to explore the racino. It has electronic video terminals up for grabs and players are often drawn to them whenever they visit Yonkers Raceway.
Empire City Casino saw about 1,000 workers put on furlough mid-March, as the situation across New York State was dynamically changing. There are 4,700 slot machines sprinkled across its gaming floor overseen by MGM Resorts. The casino operator is willing to see the reopening of both the gaming venue and the Standardbred racetrack, as this would support their future operation, the local horse people, as well as the community.
The willingness to see live racing return to Yonkers Raceway is among the main engines that would see it happen in the upcoming weeks. Projections made by Mr. Faraldo are that locals could see live racing events return in the second or third week of this month. The President made it clear that the racetrack’s situation is rather complicated at the moment.
What’s to Come?
It does not feature a substantial number of racehorses as it is, but at the same time the safety measures it should comply with are more restricting than the ones mandatory for horse racetracks to the likes of Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Saratoga Downs, and Batavia Downs. Those racetracks have their racehorses on their premises.
When it comes to Yonkers Raceway, racehorses are being shipped in, which would then require the physical distancing of the individuals taking care of this. Mr. Faraldo stated that this is making the situation more complicated for the racetrack in comparison to rival horse racing hotspots. In the meantime, MGM Resorts is working on ways in which it could alleviate the process. This includes the installation of new faucets optimizing the process of washing hands.
Plexiglass screens are also going to be installed at the race office on the premises of Yonkers Raceway. In the meantime, Monticello Raceway refuses to open without horse people giving up their on-track handle, off-track betting revenue, and more. Mr. Faraldo expressed concerns that casino gambling would take advantage of local horse racing and undermine its future success.
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Author: Yolina
Yolina has followed closely the latest development on the Canadian gaming scene over the past years, monitoring the land-based, lottery, and online offerings up for grabs. The dynamic nature of the local lottery and casino fields, as well as the opportunities lying ahead of Canada fire her enthusiasm for what is to come. A sports betting enthusiast, in her spare time Yolina could be found in her natural habitat – turning the pages of biographies and catching up on the latest stand-up comedy podcasts.