Monticello: Despite casino shutdown, all signs point to the Raceway remaining open

When the Times Herald-Record posted a story on January 22 reporting that casino operations at Monticello Raceway would cease on or about April 23, it sent shockwaves throughout the harness racing community.

While the headline clearly stated that the racing operation will remain open, the possibility of the track shuttering was certainly bandied about in the article, which states that while Empire Resorts pledged to keep horse racing in Monticello, that the promise wasn’t in writing.

When reached for comment, both Monticello Harness Horsemen’s President Alan Schwartz and attorney Joe Faraldo said their phones have been blowing up all day with calls about the situation.

“I had a meeting with Charles Degliomini (Executive Vice President of Empire Resorts at Monticello) and Ryan Eller (President & CEO Empire Resorts) on Friday (1/18) and they alerted me to the fact that they were closing the casino but that racing and simulcasting would continue,” said Schwartz.

According to Schwartz and Faraldo, the horsemen have a contract with Empire Resorts that runs through February 2025. The agreement keeps purses at the 2013 levels and guarantees 207 racing dates each year.

When asked if there was any truth to the rumors of a July closing for the track or if there had been any discussion of shuttering the track, Faraldo responded, “No, and there won’t be any. There is a contract in place for the next seven years, not only with Monticello Raceway but with Empire Resorts. I don’t see the track going anywhere.

“The contract says they have to race 207 racing dates every year. If they blow that license with the gaming commission, there will be ramifications, too. Because you need that license. You won’t have a license if you breach your obligations,” continued Faraldo.

In another article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, Assembly Racing Committee chairman Gary Pretlow was said to be questioning whether Empire Resorts could even close the racino without state approval and mentioned the possibility of Catskill OTB taking over the operation.

Additionally, the Poughkeepsie journal article confirms the notion that the track will remain open for racing, stating, “Resorts World said it will continue to provide the same direct revenue to the state and local governments who shared in the racino's profits, as well as to continue to fund purses at the racetrack.”