- Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track
Location
The track and
racino is located in Farmington in westernNew York State , approximately 25 miles southeast ofRochester, NY . The facility is about two miles south ofNew York State Thruway exit 44.History
Finger Lakes Race Track opened on
May 23 ,1962 as a Thoroughbred horse race track. The race track has gone through several ownerships and a cycle of successful and near-bankrupt seasons.The track as a seasonal business, holding races from spring to fall was financially hurt with the advent of Off Track Betting in the 1980s.
Finger Lakes rebounded in the 1990s when "Simulcast" racing began. Under this system, patrons were able to attend the clubhouse year-round and wager on races at other tracks around the country.
In 2004, Finger Lakes Race Track became Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track after a $10.5 million renovation. The largest part of the renovation was the addition of a
racino (casino-style video gaming floor.) Attendance soared at the facility.Ross Morton, a well-known race caller, was Finger Lakes' announcer from opening day until his death in February 2008. And
Tin Cup Chalice , the first winner of the Big Apple Triple Crown of Racing, makes his home here.Feature Races
Finger Lakes is home to the
New York Derby , a 1 1/16th mile restricted race for 3 year old horses who have been bred in the state of New York. Carrying a purse of $150,000, the race is a part of the Big Apple Triple, consisting of the Mike Lee atBelmont Park , the New York Derby, and the Albany atSaratoga Race Course . The race is typically ran in July.At this time, Finger Lakes Race Track does not offer any graded stakes. They do offer ungraded and restricted stakes throughout the meet.
List of stakes races at Finger Lakes
*George W. Barker Handicap
*Susan B. Anthony Handicap
*Wadsworth Memorial Handicap
*Niagara Stakes
*New York Derby
*Ontario County Stakes
*Arctic Queen Handicap
*Leon Reed Memorial Handicap
*Jack Betta Be Rite Handicap
*New York Oaks
*Lady Fingers Stakes
*Aspirant Stakes
*Genesee Valley Breeders Handicap
*New York Breeders Futurity
*Proud Puppy Handicap
*Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies
*Finger Lakes JuvenileExternal links
* [http://www.fingerlakesracetrack.com official website]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.