MGM Resorts International, which operates Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino in New York City, has completed a $500,000 renovation of the 122-year-old track—the first upgrade since 2006.
Construction crews laid 8,000 tons of new surface material on the half-mile oval track, using 6,000 tons of recycled track material and 64 tons of lime. In addition to the resurfacing, crews raised the turns to create 14-degree banks—the steepest in the country. Workers also installed new LED lighting to improve visibility.
Track officials said the new surface will better withstand the rigors of a year-round racing schedule, according to Yogonet.com. The work also wrapped up in time for Yonkers to host its legs of harness racing’s Triple Crown for trotters and pacers. The $500,000 MGM Yonkers Trot and the $500,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes for pacers will take place on July 2. More than 230 races are scheduled to take in 2021, with cards scheduled during weekday evenings.
Spectators are back in the stands at the track, said Alex Dadoyan, the director of racing. “Having fans back at the track, enjoying racing in person, is a great step towards fully returning to regular racing operations.”
Meanwhile, Empire City Casino has also expanded its offerings. In May, more than 3,200 of the casino’s 5,000 gaming positions were available, and the handle approached pre-pandemic levels. In June, patrons played $848.5 million and won $790.5 million. Both of those totals were the highest Empire City reported since May 2019. That month, the MGM casino reported a handle of $865.3 million and a payout of $804.6 million.
Meanwhile, the $56.4 million net win was the casino’s highest since Match 2019, when it took in $58.3 million.
Since the new fiscal year started in April, Empire City has reported a net win of $112.6 million.
If and when New York allows the three downstate casinos outlined in the law that legalized casino gaming, Empire is expected to get one of those licences and MGM will pour almost a billion into renovations and expansion of the property.
