The Standardbred Owners Association of New York (SOANY) and MGM Yonkers, Inc., owner and operator of Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 23 that they have reached an agreement on a new contract which will govern racing at the historic Yonkers Raceway oval through Dec. 31, 2028.

In addition to nightly racing and millions in purses waiting to be won annually, harness racing fans will enjoy annual staples such as the prestigious Blue Chip Matchmaker Series and MGM Borgata Pacing Series in the spring, the MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger in the summer and the MGM Yonkers International Trot in the fall.

“Yonkers Raceway is the premier harness track in the State of New York and has the highest overnight purses of any track in the United States,” said Joe Faraldo, President of the SOANY. “With this new deal in place, racing opportunities for our horsemen are preserved and will continue at the highest levels in North America for the next three years during the contract. Moreover, the contractual protections contained in the contract, together with important provisions enacted in state law governing racing obligations and racing revenues, ensure the bright future and continued vitality of the harness racing industry in New York during and, indeed, long beyond the term of the contract.”

“The contract contains important protections for the horsemen in the event MGM is awarded a casino license this December and also provides for the funding of the health insurance and retirement benefits uniquely provided by the SOANY to our eligible grooms, as well as to qualified trainers and drivers, all of whom are collectively responsible for making racing at Yonkers possible,” said Peter Venaglia, First Vice-President of the SOANY and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the SOANY.

“Since acquiring Empire City and Yonkers Raceway in 2019, MGM Resorts has made significant investments to upgrade Yonkers Raceway and secure its future as one of the nation’s premier harness tracks,” said Louis Theros, President of MGM Northeast Group. “Yonkers Raceway is not only the crown jewel of harness racing in New York, it is a destination that attracts drivers and owners from across the Northeast to compete for the richest purses in the sport. This new agreement ensures the 126-year-old, iconic track will continue to thrive.”

With significant financial support from MGM Resorts, Yonkers Raceway has undergone more than $1 million in upgrades in recent years. These upgrades include resurfacing the track with more than 6,000 tonnes of recycled track material, an enhanced horse paddock, installing state-of-the-art LED lighting and a new multiple display LED infield tote board to provide fans with even greater race-day experiences.

(Yonkers Raceway & SOANY)