Monticello Raceway
 Monticello Raceway in October 2008 | |
| Location | 204 Route 17B Monticello, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°40′07″N 74°42′52″W / 41.66872°N 74.714563°W |
| Owned by | Empire Resorts |
| Date opened | June 27, 1958 |
| Race type | harness racing |
| Official website | |
Monticello Gaming and Raceway is a harness racing track and racino in Monticello, Sullivan County, New York. It is off Exit 104 of Route 17 (future Interstate 86), on New York State Route 17B.
The racetrack is nicknamed "The Mighty M" and races standardbred horse races during the afternoons year-round. The current racetrack is a 1/2 mile oval. The track opened on June 27, 1958 in order to attract more people to Monticello's resort area.
Monticello Raceway is owned by Empire Resorts.
There have been attempts since 2000 to add a full-fledged Indian gaming casino operated by the St. Regis Mohawk tribe at the raceway, but they have been met with backlash. Several Atlantic City casino operators, including Donald Trump, fought the proposal. Trump was fined for not disclosing his lobbying efforts. In January 2008, Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior vetoed any Mohawk plans for a casino saying the Mohawk reservation on the Canada–United States border was too far from the track. The casino at the raceway operates under a state license permitting slot machines at designated race tracks.[1]
Proposed relocation
In February 2008, Empire Resorts announced that the complex would relocate to the site of the Concord Resort Hotel, where a new 5/8 mile (1 km) race track, gaming area and various other amenities would be built.[2] The new complex was scheduled to open in 2010.[3] However, no plans to buy the former site of the Concord Resort Hotel have been negotiated and there are no longer plans to move the Racino to any other location.[4]
References
- ^ Bagli, Charles V. (2008-02-12). "Proposal for Catskill Resort Turns Old Rivals Into Partners, and Vice Versa". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
- ^ "Monticello Gaming and Raceway Relocated". Casino City Times. 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
- ^ "New York State Legislature Approves Development of $1 Billion New Concord Resort Destination" (Press release). Empire Resorts. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
- ^ Times Herald Record Newspaper