Yonkers: Sunday morning racing returns on Nov. 8

Sunday matinee racing returns to Yonkers Raceway this Sunday November 8 and the 12-race card which starts at 11:25 AM also marks the one year anniversary of simulcasting races from Yonkers to the French PMU distribution hub.

The European simulcasting began on Sunday November 9, 2014 and through the first year, more than $19 million (US dollars) have been wagered on races from Yonkers throughout Europe.

In total, 27 cards from Yonkers were simulcast featuring a total of 141 races. That works out to an average of $700,000 per card or $138,000 per race. Most days when simulcasting is scheduled, only 5 races are broadcast to Europe, all trotting races with bigger fields and mile and a quarter distances.

“We’ve been extremely pleased with the results through the first year of our relationship,” said SOA of NY President Joe Faraldo. “The track and the horsemen have all worked together to make this experiment successful and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help. The work involved has been no small investment by everyone both in terms of money and sacrifice.”

To accommodate the new market, and the six hour time difference, Yonkers raced their Tuesday cards in the afternoons, along with some special early Sunday cards. Five of the next six Sundays in 2015 will feature post times of approximately 11:15 AM at Yonkers Raceway as the simulcasting schedule continues.

“With the strength of this simulcasting relationship and with complete support from Tim Rooney, Sr., Bob Galterio and the whole Yonkers staff, we were able to bring back the Yonkers International Trot last month,” continued Faraldo. “It’s another step in strengthening the Yonkers product, reaching new markets and positioning Yonkers for growth.”

Yonkers anticipates a similar European simulcasting schedule for 2016, with the first Sunday matinee simulcast scheduled for January 10.

The 2015 meet continues at Yonkers Raceway with racing on Sundays at 11:15 AM, Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM as well as Monday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:10 PM. Closing day is Sunday December 13.

(edited release--SOA of NY)