A milestone 125th season of harness racing is set to kick off this evening (Monday, Jan. 22) at the historic Yonkers Raceway at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, one of the premier gaming and hospitality destinations in the U.S.
MGM Resorts has invested over a million dollars in track renovations to enhance the overall racing experience. Renovations include resurfacing the track with more than 6,000 tons of recycled track material, the installation of all new-LED lighting, raising the turns by as much as a foot and a new multiple display LED infield toteboard. The upgraded infield toteboard's multiple display allows racing fans at Yonkers Raceway to see broadcasts of the live action on the infield board. The most recent upgrade came over the holiday break with a near quarter-million investment to upgrade the horse paddock.
MGM Resorts has also invested in its racing team members and management. At the helm of the track’s leadership are four industry veterans, including racing director Alex Dadoyan, race secretary Jonathan “Joe” Frasure Jr. and assistant race secretary Rich Mattei. The trio bring many years of combined harness racing leadership experience to Yonkers Raceway. Yonkers Raceway also has a new track superintendent, Ed Angell, who joined in spring 2023.
“For 125 years, generations of horse racing fans have visited Yonkers Raceway to enjoy a world-class sports product,” said Ed Domingo, President & COO of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “As we continue to invest in Yonkers Raceway, we look forward to an exciting and historic 2024 season to celebrate not just the track’s 125th anniversary but the incredible five years since MGM Resorts became the steward of this iconic sports venue.”
Since opening in 1899 as Empire City Racetrack, the legendary track has been home to many memorable moments. Celebrities, notable politicians and athletes such as Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Mickey Mantle, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan frequented Yonkers Raceway. The legendary champion Thoroughbred racehorse, Seabiscuit, won a purse of $7,300 at the Scarsdale Handicap at the track in the 1930s when the track was briefly a Thoroughbred track.
In 2021, UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira competed against Harness Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick in an exhibition race and took home the win. In December 2023, two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, an avid harness racing fan, made a surprise visit to the historic track, further demonstrating Yonkers Raceway as a leading destination for harness fans worldwide.
The exciting 2024 racing schedule includes 240 days of racing -- more than any other track in the U.S. Over 80 equine athletes will compete nightly, five days per week, running from Monday, Jan. 22 through Friday, Dec. 20. Season highlights include the first five legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series beginning on Friday, March 15, the MGM Borgata Pacing Series beginning Monday, March 18, the $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger on Friday, June 21 with eliminations on Friday, June 28 and, of course, the world famous MGM Yonkers International Trot scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 with eight New York Sire Stakes finals also taking place that same day. MGM Yonkers Raceway will payout more than $50 million USD in purses in 2024.
Empire Terrace, the trackside restaurant, will be available on select race days throughout the season where harness racing fans and families around the region can enjoy a night at the races.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)