From Empire City Casino/Yonkers
Raceway Public Affairs
(Yonkers,
NY)—The Kentucky Derby is often described as the “most exciting two minutes in
sports,” but there will be four hours worth of excitement trackside at Empire
City Casino on “Derby Day” on Saturday, May 5th. Highlighted by the annual
Derby Hat Contest, the festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. with food & beverage
specials, live simulcast of the big race from Churchill Downs, and musical
entertainment.
The
highlight of the event is Empire City’s Derby Hat Contest, overseen by Greg T.
from the Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show.
Empire
City’s viewing party for the 144th renewal of Kentucky Derby officially
launches the summer racing & simulcast season. The first post-time of the
day is at 10:30 a.m. with the Kentucky Derby race expected around 6:30 p.m.
Wagering on the “Run for the Roses” from Churchill Downs is available at
simulcast locations throughout the casino including outdoor trackside and in
Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub.
In
addition to the Derby, Yonkers Raceway will simulcast more than 30 of the
premier harness and thoroughbred tracks from across North America throughout
the day and night, as well as host live harness racing beginning at 6:50 p.m.
As
the racing season continues, Empire City will also simulcast the Derby’s
companion events – the Preakness Stakes, held May 19th in Maryland, and Belmont
Stakes, held June 9th on Long Island, NY. A multitude of major stakes races
throughout the summer and into the fall will also take place at the racetrack
including two signature Triple Crown harness races – the Yonkers Trot and the
Messenger Stakes, both on September 1st – as well the Art Rooney Pace on May
26th and the Dan Rooney Pace & $1-million Yonkers International Trot, which
puts an exclamation point on the stakes season, in October.
Registration
for the Derby Hat Contest is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contestants must be
Empire Club members to claim prizes – new members can sign up to join the
Empire Club for free at any Promotions Booth. The finalists will be announced
at 5:00 p.m. when Greg T. selects his “Celebrity Prize Pick” to win a cash
prize of $750. First place will win $500, with $250 going to the runner-up and
$100 for third place.
DJ
LAX will provide the musical entertainment, and Z100 will be on-site giving
away swag. Guests can indulge in the signature Derby cocktail – a classic Mint
Julep made with bourbon, mint leaves and sugar and available in a commemorative
glass for the first 700 to purchase. A variety of traditional raceway food will
be available for purchase trackside, or guests can experience classic raceway dining
in the Empire Terrace, open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. race day, where the
Derby can be viewed on a private screen at the party’s table.
Reservations
for the Empire Terrace are now being accepted for parties of six or more by
calling 914-968-4200 ext. 649.
After
experiencing Kentucky-in-New York, guests can try their luck on the casino’s
IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars® slot machine jackpot, now over $1.1-million.
Just this past March, Theresa P. of Westchester, NY won a life-changing jackpot
of $2.9-million, the highest-ever jackpot at any of New York State’s regulated
casinos.
For
more information on Empire City Casino, the Kentucky Derby Party & Hat
Contest, and directions visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, New York
10704, 914-968-4200
