Once one of the premier racetracks in New York State set in
the bucolic environment of the Catskill Mountains vacationland, Monticello
Raceway afforded seasonal visitors a venue for entertainment during the
summertime.
With increasingly successful seasons during the
harness racing boom of the 1960’s and early 1970’s, racing schedules
expanded until 1984 when Monticello Raceway became a year-
round racetrack.
But as things changed in the Catskills and the hotels and
bungalow colonies disappeared, attendance at the Mighty M also dissipated.
In the 1990’s, as the famous Borscht Belt became but a
memory, the vacationland found itself without the multitudes of
vacationers. And Monticello Raceway had to search for patrons.
So with the falling on-track attendances Flynn decided
long ago to pursue the off- track bettors and her efforts have resulted in
Monticello Raceway, not only surviving in a slumping area with a
diminishing economy , but emerging as one of the better racetracks on the East Coast.
Flynn’s hard work resulted in setting up systems of
transporting the Monticello Raceway signal out to a growing number
of off-track wagering facilities.
“Sure everyone wanted to increase the on-track attendance
and wagering but with afternoon racing set in a locale of minimal population
other ideas had to be explored and I strongly suggested that we export our
racing signal to as many places as we can,” Flynn said.
And her attention to business resulted in an ever-expanding
market for off track wagering.
“We now send our signal to over 650 off-track
betting sites throughout the United States and Canada,” Flynn
acknowledged. “And we send our race signals to more than 15 foreign countries.”.
Under her supervision - on August 2, 2006-the Mighty M has
enjoyed an all-time pari-mutuel handle of $1,432,217; one that any small racing
facility would envy.
Now in her 22nd year at the helm of
wagering here, the Brooklyn-born Flynn has applied her business
skills to racing.
”When I lived in Brooklyn I worked in the garment center in
accounting and economics and I applied many of the theories to racing,” she
said. “My business background has been invaluable.”
Flynn explored the $.10 superfectas and the $.50 trifectas
which have proven to be a great addition to the Mighty M betting menu. She also
worked tirelessly to get approval for superfecta wagering when a
late scratch occurs in an eight-horse field.
“”We lobbied for and received permission this year to have
superfectas in every race,” Flynn added.
“I consider Maureen to be one of the preeminent Simulcast
minds in the country,” says Mighty M general manager, Shawn Wiles. “Monticello
Raceway is extremely fortunate enough to have her on our staff. Much of
our success can be attributed to Maureen’s keen mind and her ability to adapt
to the ever-changing Simulcasting landscape.”
With attention to wagering and its expansion thereof,
Flynn’s efforts have been instrumental in the Mighty M’s
continuance of harness racing in the Catskill Mountains.
When the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA holds its 54th
annual awards banquet at the Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown NY on
Sunday evening, November 18 Maureen Flynn will be presented with an Award of
Appreciation.
