Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR) and the Finger Lakes Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association (FLHPBA) reached an agreement Monday night, ending a months-long stalemate and ensuring that the upstate New York oval will race in 2017. Finger Lakes will hold its 56th-consecutive season of racing from Apr. 22 through Nov. 28 with a total of 145 race days.
“We are pleased to have come to an agreement that sets the wheels in motion for racing to continue at Finger Lakes this spring,” said Chris Riegle, president and general manager of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack. “All parties involved worked hard and productively over a long period of time toward a reasonable solution that most importantly provides assurance for close to 1,000 people who depend directly on the local racing industry for their livelihood”
Issues arose at Finger Lakes due to the recent opening of nearby del Lago Resort & Casino and the expectation that gaming business at Finger Lakes would suffer, resulting in fewer funds available for purses (click here for 'Finger Lakes Woes Could be Big Blow for NY,' Bill Finley, 2/16/17). A statute mandates that 8.75% of gaming revenue at Finger Lakes must be used to fund purses.
As part of the agreement between FLGR and FLHPBA, Finger Lakes's operator Delaware North will contribute at least an additional $600,000, and up to $1 million, to account for the expected shortfall. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's office recently proposed a solution to the issue at Finger Lakes, and was involved in negotiations.
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