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Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack
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Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack and Local Horsemen
Reach Agreement on Terms for 2017 Racing Season
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56th Consecutive Season of Thoroughbred Racing set to begin April 22
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Farmington, NY – March 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR) and Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association (FLHBPA) officials announced this morning that terms to the 2017 racing season have been agreed upon, thus ending several months of negotiations and paving the way for preparations toward the 56th consecutive season of thoroughbred racing at the Farmington oval to begin. Plans call for the season to open on Saturday, April 22, with a 145-day season that would extend through November 28.
 
“We are pleased to have come to an agreement that sets the wheels in motion for racing to continue at Finger Lakes this spring,” said Chris Riegle, president and general manager of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack. “All parties involved worked hard and productively over a long period of time toward a reasonable solution that most importantly provides assurance for close to 1,000 people who depend directly on the local racing industry for their livelihood.”
 
The agreement was in flux mainly due to the opening of del Lago Resort & Casino in Seneca County and determining how to best account for the anticipated resulting significant drop in available funds for purse money at Finger Lakes. By statute, 8.75% of gaming revenue at Finger Lakes supports racing purses. How to best account for that shortfall and conduct a racing season that all parties could agree upon was at issue. As part of the agreement, Finger Lakes will contribute a minimum of an additional $600,000 and up to $1 Million toward funding of purses, depending on the impact to its gaming revenue this year.
 
“We also must recognize and thank the governor and his staff, the New York State Gaming Commission, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, as well as State Senator’s Pam Helming and Rich Funke and State Assemblyman Brian Kolb for their efforts in bringing this to a successful conclusion. Their recognition of the vital role that the thoroughbred racing industry plays within the regional and statewide economy was of great importance as we worked our way through these discussions,” Riegle said.
 
The local positive economic impact of racing operations at Finger Lakes is estimated at $80 million annually.

About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack
In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offering in 2004 and expanded again in 2013. Nearly two million visitors annually now visit the facility highlighted by over 1,500 gaming machines, live and simulcast thoroughbred racing, the 448-seat Vineyard Buffet and Remedy Bar & Lounge. Gaming floor operations are open 8 a.m. – 4 a.m., daily. For more information, visit www.FingerLakesGaming.com.

About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 60,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than a half-billion guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue of $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, at www.DelawareNorth.com.

Contact:
Steve Martin
Regional Director of Marketing
Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack
585-742-9235
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Delaware North
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Publishing Dates: 03/02/17 – 05/02/17
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