Gural Part Of Group Behind Syracuse Racino Push

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Published: December 22, 2010 11:32 am EST

Reports indicate that a new racino/entertainment complex could be coming to upstate New York, and that racetrack owner Jeff Gural could be part of the mix

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On Tuesday, December 21, the state Racing and Wagering Board approved incorporation papers of developer Thomas C. Wilmot, Sr. and six other directors of 'Syracuse Raceway Inc.,' according to an article by syracuse.com.

The report explains that Wilmot et al are looking to apply for the state's last (eighth) harness racing license, and that they will also have to deal with the state's lottery division in order to get approval for a video lottery facility.

If the harness racing license application is approved, the existing grandstand at the Syracuse Mile would be renovated, the track scaled down to a five-eighths mile course, and a VLT parlour erected. The article states that the facility could open in the late winter or spring of 2012 at the earliest.

The syracuse.com article explains that the corporation has yet to decide how many live race dates the track would play host to, but it states that the number could be anywhere from 30 to 150.

Another report, on saratogian.com, cites Gural as saying that the new project would compete with the Native American-run Turning Stone Casino and produce revenue for the state, which the Indian casino doesn’t.

The article also cites Gural as saying that the track would probably host a short summer meet, and, "If we’re not part of the deal, I would oppose it."

(With files from syracuse.com and saratogian.com)

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