When Yonkers Raceway first became Empire City at Yonkers Raceway, many people, including myself thought they were becoming a racino which was keeping the horses around just so they can have slot machines. Happily, I can say I was wrong. In today's New York Post there was an article about how Empire City is trying to differentiate themselves from Atlantic City and the Indian casinos in Connecticut by making people know they have harness racing. Unfortunately, I can't find one of the new television advertisements on the Internet to link to but if you look at the NY Post article, click on the slide show and you will get an idea of what they are like. What I can tell you is the horse talks to people in the casino or dining room in different commericals reminding the public of the harness racing.
As a side note, Yonkers has also advertised in newspapers in the Meadowland's backyard when they have had major stake races in the sports section.
Could Yonkers Raceway do more? Sure they can; perhaps run an occasional race card on a weekend afternoon to expose people who normally don't come in the evening to harness racing; maybe have some type of event on the vast apron by the track to get casino patrons to come outside while the horses are running. That being said, it is refreshing to see harness racing get promoted.
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