YONKERS, NY, Thursday, October
17, 2013 – Yonkers Raceway is prepping for its fifth annual Fall Harvest
Festival, a free, family-fun event, set for Saturday night.
The Harvest Festival is
slated from 5-9 PM on the track apron at the historic half-mile oval, and
showcases the thriving relationship between horse racing and agriculture all
across New York State.
The Fall Harvest Festival
includes pony rides, face painting, pumpkin patch and musical entertainment,
along with New York wine and beer product sampling. Of course, a full card of
parimutuel races is also part of the evening (first post at the usual 7:10 PM).
A favorite among the Fall
Harvest Festival highlights is the Fifth Annual Legislators' Challenge, in
which elected officials from across the state compete in four non-wagering
harness races (with occasional help from professional harness drivers). Post
time for the first of three Legislators non-bettors is 5:30 PM.
The “electeds” have been divided
into three groups…the rookies, the veterans and the previous winners.
Scheduled participants for the
Legislators' Pace include, from the New York State Assembly Andrew Raia (12 AD
- Northport); Keith Wright (70 AD - Harlem); Michael Benedetto (82 AD - Bronx);
J. Gary Pretlow (89 AD - Mount Vernon); Shelley Mayer (90 AD – Yonkers);
Michaelle C. Solages (22 AD - Valley Stream); Joseph Saladino (9 AD -
Massapequa Park); Rafael Espinal Jr. (54 AD – Brooklyn); Andrew Garbarino (7 AD
– Bayport); and Frank Skartados (104 AD – Newburgh). Rounding out the
competitors is State Senators Joseph Griffo (47 SD – Utica).
“The Legislators' Pace has
become a much-anticipated annual event among racing fans, residents statewide,
and of course, our incredibly competitive state legislators,” Tim Rooney, Jr.,
general counsel at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, said. “But for us,
this is just a fun-filled way to remind the elected officials and residents who
support us, that not only have we contributed over $1.8 billion to the state’s
schools, we’ve also helped revitalized the horse racing and agricultural
industries across the state.”
"I am always excited to
compete in the Legislative Challenge. It is a fun night, not just for
those who are participating but for the entire family. Once again, Empire
City has outdone themselves in providing a fun-filled evening for all,”
Assembly Member Benedetto said.
"I would like to thank both
the Standardbred Owners Association of New York and Empire City Casino at
Yonkers Raceway for hosting this event and the Fall Festival,” Assembly Member
Garbarino said. “These two organizations have helped make New York a
leader in the standardbred breeding and racing industries. For many
years, these two industries have provided much-needed jobs and revenue for the
New York State economy."
"I am looking forward to
once again participating in this year's fall harvest festival. It is a
wonderful community event, and I appreciate Empire City Casino providing it to
the Yonkers community,” Assembly Member Mayer said.
"I've been attending this
event every year since its inception, and every year I'm blown away at how much
fun it is," Assembly Member Raia said. “Events like these are not just
great fun for the whole family, but also critical to illustrating the importance
of New York agriculture and business."
"The Fall Harvest Festival
is one of the most exciting nights at Yonkers Raceway,” Assembly Member
Saladino said. “After winning last year’s race, I am thrilled to come
back and defend my title and create another very exciting night. The
legislative challenge is a not-to-be-missed event. I hope everyone comes out to
Yonkers Raceway for a night of fun at the races."
“It is an honor to race at the
Yonkers Raceway and participate in the fifth annual Fall Harvest Festival.
Harness racing with my fellow New York State legislators highlights an industry
that not only benefits the great state of New York, but also the local
community,” Assembly Member Solages said. “This is the most premier harness
racing track in the country. I am excited at the opportunity to
celebrate New York State’s advancements in the agriculture and equine
industries at the harness racing capital.”
"The fall harvest is a
great opportunity for legislators to highlight one of the jewels of New York,
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, and it gives us a great opportunity to
mix business and pleasure,” Assembly Member Wright said. “As a legislator
from Harlem, I don't get a chance to drive too many horses. I look forward to
seeing everyone as I come around the clubhouse turn."
Another highlight of the Fall Harvest Festival is a Racing Under Saddle
exhibition event, with nine talented women competing in a
mile-and-and-a-sixteenth event between the first and second races on the wagering
card.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule
continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon
simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.
