FINGER LAKES’ 47TH SEASON OFF AND RUNNING SATURDAY

FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack will begin its 47th live thoroughbred racing season Saturday afternoon, April 19, with a nine-race card. Doors will open to the gaming floor at 10:00 a.m., while gates to the racetrack open at 11:30 a.m. Post time for the first race of the 160-day season is set for 1:10 p.m.

Morton Remembered

For the first time in its history, Finger Lakes will be without the services of announcer Ross Morton. Morton, who was the only announcer Finger Lakes has known since its opening in 1962 passed away near his winter home in Hollywood, Florida in February. Having called over 60,000 races in his career at Finger Lakes, Morton will be honored on Saturday prior to the first race with the dedication of the new Ross Morton Memorial Winner’s Circle. Following the dedication, as a special tribute the running of the first race will be silent. Fans will also be able to sign a special remembrance scroll that will be sent to Morton’s family after the races, and donations will be accepted in his name for the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program.

Calo to begin a new era

Behind the microphone on race days this year will be Tony Calo. Calo, 39, began his announcing career in 1995 at Bay Meadows in California. In 1999, he also became announcer at Golden Gate Fields, and
remained at both tracks until 2005. His other experience includes stops at The Downs at Albuquerque, Sun Ray Park and Turf Paradise as back up announcer and hosts of various televised horse racing shows. “I’m excited and honored to be the second announcer the track has ever had”, said Calo. “I know I have some big shoes to fill, but think I will bring an accurate and exciting style to the fans.”

What’s New at the Track

During the off-season, significant upgrades were made to improve television production. Through an overall investment of what will be nearly $700,000, a transition was made to digital broadcasting which will significantly improve picture and video quality. New cameras with high-powered lenses and a state-of-the-art broadcast room will add crisp and vivid graphics to the live racing presentation for both on and off-track customers.

Saturday will also be the opening of The Sub Shop, a completely new food and beverage outlet for racing fans. Freshly made subs as well as classic concession favorites such as burgers and hot dogs can be purchased at the new edition to the facility located in the lower clubhouse. 

Finger Lakes will also introduce 50-cent pick-fours to its wagering menu this season. The new wager will be available for races two through five and six through nine on every nine-race card.

Finger Lakes Live Racing Replays 

You can now relive the excitement of past races held here at Finger Lakes.  Simply go to the main Racing page, Racing Statistics page or Live/Simulcast Race Schedule page and look for the link to Archived Race Videos.  You can also go directly to it now by clicking HERE.

Opening Day Events

Trainer Chris Englehart and jockey John Davila, Jr. will receive recognition after the second race on Saturday for winning their respective titles in 2007. Englehart finished last year with 117 victories to earn his fifth consecutive title, and seventh overall. With 158 wins, John Davila, Jr. won the jockey title for the sixth consecutive year. It was the eighth time that Davila finished the year as the Finger Lakes top rider.

Commemorative opening day T-shirts will be handed out to the first 2,500 through the doors and the ‘All-Star Buglers’ will perform the call to the post and other anthems throughout the day. The popular group visited Finger Lakes twice in 2007, and has previously performed at events such as the Breeders’ Cup and Belmont Stakes.

Opening Day Racing Highlights

Headlining the racing card is the Alpha Handicap. The sprint for 3-year olds and up will be run at a distance of four and one-half furlongs.  2006 Finger Lakes Horse-of-the-Year Johnie Bye Night will make his first start of the 2008 season in the opening day feature. The 6-year-old gelding has not had a trip around the oval since July 4, 2007 when he finished second to Funny Cide in the $100,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap. He has won four stakes races in his career and has amassed a total of $228,858 in lifetime purse earnings. Jockey John Davila, Jr. will be in the saddle for trainer Charlton Baker.

The largest bankroll in the field of six belongs to Robert Cole Jr.’s Outcashem. With eight stakes victories under his belt, the 7-year-old gelding has career purse earnings of $534,321. The 2-1 morning line favorite has been a short race specialist with ten of his 19 career wins being achieved at the four and one-half furlong distance. In his lone start of 2008 he finished fourth in an allowance race at Charlestown on April 5. The Scott Lake-trainee will be ridden by John Grabowski on Saturday.

New Faces

Jockey Dennis Carr has joined the Finger Lakes jockey colony and is listed on seven mounts for opening day. The 39-year-old journeyman has an impressive resume with 88 stakes wins in his career; 17 of which were graded. Carr’s $42,489,730 in lifetime purse earnings is higher than any current Finger Lakes jockey. The 21-year veteran was riding in California until last May.

Trainer Lonnie Arterburn will be a new face in the Finger Lakes paddock. The 51-year-old comes
from a successful racing family which includes brother-in-law Russell Baze, one of the nation’s all-time leading jockeys. In Arterburn’s 25-year career he has saddled 1,243 winning horses, including Rings a Chime who won the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (Grade 1) on April 8, 2000. Jockey Brittany Arterburn is the daughter of Lonnie. She will ride horses for her father in three races on Saturday.

Finger Lakes will offer live racing in April three days a week with dark days of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. First race post time will be at 1:10 p.m. everyday. Fridays will be added to the schedule beginning May 2, and Saturdays included starting May 11.

Multi-card simulcasting is offered daily in addition to live racing, as well as on dark days. The video gaming floor featuring nearly 1,200 video gaming machines is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. Admission and parking are always free.