YONKERS RACEWAY

810 Yonkers Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10704
(914) 968-4200
http://www.yonkersraceway.com

Yonkers Racing Dates
January 1 - December 31

Racetrack Information
Main track (dirt): 1/2 mile, oval
Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 660 feet
Width of backstretch: 98 feet
Composition: Limestone screenings

Track History and Fun Facts: Located at Central and Yonkers Avenue in Westchester County, Yonkers Raceway sits approximately eight miles away from historic Yankee Stadium. It is currently owned by Timothy Rooney son of Art Rooney football legend. Yonkers Raceway, considered a city landmark, was first opened in 1899. At the time it was called Empire City Trotting Club. After its first year of operation, it remained closed for most of the next seven years except for special events, then reopened as a thoroughbred race track in 1907. It continued to host "the flats" until 1942, when it was converted back to being a harness track. In 1950 it was renamed Yonkers Raceway. Its popularity having greatly declined since the 1960's (when crowds would occasionally reach 50,000), the entire property, according to some, had become an eyesore due to its owners leaving it in a state of disrepair.

Yonkers was the former site of the Cane Pace leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. The Yonkers Trot, one of the legs of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters, is held annually. In addition to world-class harness racing, Yonkers Raceway has a casino with over 5,500 video game machines and a dining room with an exquisite list of menu items.