Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts announces its 2021 Racing Program for Yonkers Raceway with Opening Day scheduled for Monday, January 11, 2021, pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission. The 234 race day calendar includes a stakes schedule featuring the return of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, and two Triple Crown events, the MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, all of which were canceled last year as a result of the pandemic.
The race calendar will shift to a five consecutive weekday schedule offering live harness racing Monday through Friday, as Yonkers moves the Saturday race card to Wednesday. Nightly post time is 7:15pm.
Racing fans will enjoy wagering changes as well. Yonkers Raceway will reduce the takeout rate on Pick 4 and Pick 5 races from twenty-five percent to twenty percent to the benefit of bettors. A one dollar Pick 6 wager is also being added.
“We are pleased to be able to lower the takeout rate on these popular multi-race wagers to the lowest levels allowed by the state,” said Alex Dadoyan, director of racing at Yonkers Raceway.
State regulations continue to require races to be run without fans in attendance, with only essential personnel and owners permitted on the track and required to adhere to strict health and safety protocols.
Races are simulcast and available for viewing and wagering online at www.EmpireCityBets.com. Racing fans can create a free account and view live racing at Yonkers Raceway and tracks across the country.
For more information on the race schedule, please visit
www.EmpireCityCasino.com.