LEGISLATORS TO COMPETE IN LIVE HARNESS RACES

From left: Assembly Members Latrice Walker, Nade Sayegh, Stefani Zinerman, Dana Levenberg, Joe DeStefano, Ken Zebrowski, Eddie Gibbs, J.Gary Pretlow, Scott Bendett, Senator Dean Murray, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts President and COO Ed Domingo at the 2023 Legislative Pace. Photo courtesy Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts.

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers recently announced that the date has been set for the annual Legislative Pace. New York state senators and Assembly members have circled Friday, Sept. 20, on their busy calendars for what is typically dubbed “The Hottest Political Race of the Year.” The Legislative Pace will give legislators the reins as they compete for bragging rights in what has become an ultra-competitive, yet friendly, must-see harness racing event at Yonkers Raceway hosted by Empire City and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York (SOANY).

The event has been held annually, with the exception of 2020, allowing New York state legislators to participate in before-the-card nonwagering harness races, holding the reins in double-seated jog carts alongside professional harness drivers. Each race consists of two turns around Yonkers Raceway’s historic one-half-mile oval.

The legislative line-up for the 2024 Legislative Pace includes State Senators Jamaal Bailey (D-Bronx) and Nathalia Fernandez (D-Bronx/Westchester), State Assembly Members George Alvarez (D-Bronx), Jacob Blumencranz (R-Nassau/Suffolk), Karl Brabanec (R-Orange/Rockland), Brian Cunningham (D-Brooklyn), Landon Dais (D-Bronx), Joe DeStefano (R-Suffolk), Eddie Gibbs (D-Bronx), Dana Levenberg (D-Westchester/Putnam), Nader Sayegh (D-Westchester), Amanda Septimo (D-Bronx), Michaelle Solages (D-Nassau), Clyde Vanel (D-Queens), Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn), Jaime Williams (D-Brooklyn) and Stefani Zinerman (D-Brooklyn).

Legislative Pace participants will experience the more than $1 million investment MGM Resorts has made in the historic 125-year-old track to enhance the racing experience. The upgrades are the first in more than 15 years and include a resurfaced and regraded track that raised the turns as much as a foot, upgraded track lighting to an LED system, a resurfaced paddock, and a new state-of-the-art tote board with video capabilities.

“Not only has the Legislative Pace become a highly anticipated and fun evening for legislators, but more importantly this event allows members of the State Assembly and State Senate to experience racing firsthand and learn more about its importance to agriculture and the state’s economy,” said Joseph Faraldo, president of the Standardbred Owners Association, which represents horsemen at Yonkers Raceway. “Our industry creates tens of thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars each year, and we are thrilled that so many legislators want to be involved in harness racing and learn more.”

Live racing continues at Yonkers Raceway Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings with a first race post time of 6:55 p.m. Races are simulcast and available for viewing and wagering online at www.EmpireCityBets.com where racing fans can create a free account and view live racing at Yonkers Raceway and tracks across the country.

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the Northeast located at 810 Yonkers Ave. (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, New York, open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. For more information, visit empirecitycasino.com or call 914-968-4200.