Study: Vernon Downs Casino &Hotel Creating Jobs for Oneida County

553 Jobs Supported, Added Over $28.5 Million to Oneida County Economy & Generated Nearly $22 Million to State and Local Revenues Annually
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel Raceway added over $28.5 million to the Oneida County economy and generated nearly $22 million annually in revenues for the region and the state, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by an independent firm.

This analysis also estimates that 553 local, full and part-time jobs are supported by the Casino.

The New York Gaming Association (NYGA) released part one of the two-part report today to outline the positive economic impact gaming has had on the local economy.

A second report, which will be released in the next few weeks, will show projections for future regional job growth and revenues that will be generated if enhanced gaming is authorized in New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State legislature will consider passing a constitutional amendment to authorize enhanced gaming.

"Many residents depend on the jobs Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel provides, and we are pleased with the results of the study," Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel) said. "We are thankful for the success we have had and proud to be an economic asset to our community."

According to estimates from the analysis, in 2011 Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel provided 553 local full and part-time jobs, with 306 of those jobs representing direct employment by the casino.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel supported 161 jobs for racing and breeding.

Wages and salaries for employees totaled more than $8 million.

Additional findings from the report show that in 2011, Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel:
• Accounted for over $28.5 million in economic output for the region;
• Reinvested more than $1.6 million into the local economy with the purchase of goods and services (including construction) from businesses in Oneida County;
• Accounted directly and indirectly for nearly $1.3 million in revenues for Oneida County municipalities, and;
• Generated over $19 million in State revenues, of which more than $14.6 million went towards education in New York State, which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 210 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.

The nine Racetrack Casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:
• Batavia Downs Casino
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
• Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway
• Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack
• Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds
• Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Saratoga Casino & Raceway
• Tioga Downs Casino
• Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel

The New York Gaming Association members have contributed $1.96 billion to the State in 2011.

Over $830.5 million has gone to fund education in New York State which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 11,900 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.

The nine Racetrack Casinos employ nearly 5,500 New Yorkers directly and have created a total of 17,400 jobs both directly and indirectly across the state.

The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis.

Kindergarten Classic Series Expanded

The Kindergarten Classic series for 2-year-old trotters has risen steadily in popularity over its five-year history.

Conceived by Jeff Gural with the idea of offering races for 2YOs to gain racing experience and as an alternative to the major stakes, the series has seen both nominations and the final purse increase each year.

In 2011, the colt final went for $200,500 and the fillies for $182,500.

For 2012, the Kindergarten expands from four to five legs and returns to The Meadowlands for the first two.

The $10,000 guaranteed series legs begin on Thursday, July 26 and come right back the next Thursday at The Big M.

Observing the busy schedule for various sire stakes programs through the month of August and early September, the series resumes at The Red Mile for legs three and four on consecutive Thursdays, Sept 13 and 20.

Skipping forward to avoid conflict with The Red Mile Grand Circuit, the last leg will be on Friday, October 19 and the $175,000 estimated final on October 26, both at Vernon Downs.

A minimum of two leg starts is required to be eligible for the finals.

Nomination requires a payment of $600 on March 15 and another $600 to sustain comes due on April 15.

A $250 entry fee is due for each leg.

There is no entry fee to race in the final.

Nomination forms are available at the Vernon Downs website.

Gym Tan Laundry won the 2011 Kindergarten Classic for colts and geldings while Ladi Andi won the fillies division.

Vernon Downs to Host Deployment Dinner

Vernon Downs Casino is honored to host a special dinner on Thursday, January 26, for soldiers deploying to Kuwait.

Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Racetrack), will provide a Casino Classic Buffet dinner for 200 including members from the Company and their families.

Many of the guests will also be enjoying an overnight stay at the casino, with 92 hotel rooms compliments of Vernon Downs.

According to Mr. Gural, "I believe our soldiers have done an unbelievable job in keeping our country safe after 9/11 and we are happy to host this event in appreciation of the sacrifice these men and women are continuing to make for all of us."

During their time in Kuwait, the Company will be performing a security force mission, rather than a combat mission.

They will proudly be supporting a variety of security missions at various locations within Kuwait.

While deployed, the Company will have a unique opportunity to train in Kuwait, and will participate with other Active, Guard, and International units to perform demanding training at every available opportunity.

Prior to deployment, the soldiers will spend a short period of time in Mississippi training on additional tasks and equipment.

They expect to be away from home for approximately one year.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center, including state of the art Simulcast Room and new casually themed Mr. G’s Food and Spirits restaurant.

Changes made to New York Sire Stakes in 2012

Some significant changes have been made to the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) racing program for 2012.

Replacing the NY Late Closer program is the brand new Excelsior series, which will include the historic New York State Fair events.

For the upcoming season, the NY State Fair will not require a separate payment.

To make your horse eligible for the NY State Fair races you must make the February 15 and April 15 payments for the Excelsior series to the Ag Fund of New York State.

The purse for the State Fair races will be $12,000 plus entry fees ($100) and also afford those racing in the events the opportunity to earn points toward the $45,000est. Excelsior series finals.

The NY State Fair for three-year-old trotters will be raced at Vernon Downs on Friday, May 25 serving as a prep for the 2012 Empire Breeders Classic trots to be raced the next two weeks.

The three-year-old pacers will race at Tioga Downs on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

The two-year-olds will race at Vernon on August 24 & 25 as part of an exciting weekend featuring the new format $700,000E Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial events and the $50,000 Drivers' Championship on Sunday, August 26.

Stakes and race schedule set for 2012 at Vernon & Tioga Downs

Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have finalized their 2012 race and stakes schedule for the upcoming race season (pending regulatory approval).

Tioga Downs will hold 61 live racing days in 2012, set to begin on Saturday, May 5th (Kentucky Derby Day) in Nichols, New York.

Highlighting the 2012 stakes calendar at Tioga Downs is the $200,000 estimated Artiscape Pace for open mare pacers and the $200,000 estimated Bettor's Delight Open Pace.

Both races are scheduled for Sunday, June 10.

Tioga Downs will once again host the first leg of Pacing's Triple Crown, the Cane Pace, with eliminations on Sunday, August 26th and the final on Monday, September 3rd.

The Empire Breeders' Classic for 3-year-old New York bred pacers will be held later in the year, as in years past, with eliminations on Sunday, August 5th, and the $250,000 estimated finals being held a week later on Sunday, August 12th.

Other marquee events held at Tioga Downs in 2012 will include: Tompkins-Geers, a leg of the Miss Versatility, The Shady Daisy, and the Historic Stakes.

Vernon Downs will kick off its 2012 race season on Friday, April 27th to open up its 90-day race meet from April 27th through November 3rd.

Vernon Downs will be the 2012 host of American Racing and Entertainment's marquee event, the $50,000 Drivers' Championship, which has been held at Tioga Downs since it inception in 2007.
The Drivers' Championship will share the spotlight at Vernon Downs with the $700,000 estimated Zweig Memorial Trot, on Sunday, August 26th.

The $200,000 estimated Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot and $200,000 estimated Credit Winner Open Trot will also return to Vernon Downs in 2012 on Friday, September 7th.

The $500,000 estimated Empire Breeders' Classic for New York bred trotters will headline the month of June at Vernon Downs, with the eliminations on Friday, June 1st and the $250,000 estimated finals a week later on Friday, June 8th.

Also scattered around the 2012 stakes schedule at Vernon Downs is the Historic Stakes along with legs and the final of the $175,000 Kindergarten Classic.

"We pride ourselves at Tioga & Vernon on the racing product and promotions we offer our fans during the summer months in upstate New York, and look forward to what we hope will be the best year yet for Tioga and Vernon Downs," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.

For more information on Tioga Downs or Vernon Downs, please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com.

Zweig Memorial Improved for 2012

The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotters will undergo several important changes for this year's edition.

The conditions for the race have been revised from split divisions to a format that puts the top nine money winners for 2012 into the main event with a consolation for the next nine that enter.

The same formula will be used for the Zweig Filly trot.

This allows the purse for the main open event to be estimated at $400,000 and the main filly race at $170,000.

The consolation purses are $80,000 Estimated for the open and $40,000 Estimated for the fillies.

To facilitate the large purse increase, the payments have been raised and the added money has been doubled from previous years to a minimum of $150,000.

The 2012 races have been moved to Vernon Downs 7/8's mile oval, generally regarded as one of the very finest racing surfaces in the game.

The Zweig Memorial will be featured on a special Sunday, August 26 matinee card that will include the $50,000 annual Drivers' Challenge.

The scheduling of the race will allow the cream of the crop to come to Vernon for the Zweig one week after the Colonial and then have an important open week before the Canadian Trotting Classic elims.

The New York State Fair events for two-year-olds will be raced on Friday and Saturday of Zweig weekend, creating a showcase of the finest our sport has to offer.

"We are trying to recreate the fun weekend we all had when the Zweig was raced at the State Fairgrounds along with other New York sire stake races," said American Racing Chairman Jeff Gural. "Having our hotel on site with its many recent improvements along with the new format for the Zweig and the always exciting Drivers' Championship, we are hoping that we will have a big turnout."

The cooperation of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York and Mrs. Anne Zweig were integral to executing the improvements in the Zweig Memorial.

The first sustaining payment for the 2012 races comes due by February 15.

Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn won a division of the Zweig Memorial last year when the event was raced at Tioga Downs.

Nomination forms and conditions are available at the HHBNYS web site.

Revenue up at Vernon Downs in 2011

American Racing and Entertainment, which operates two Racetracks and Casinos in upstate New York, showed impressive gains in numbers in 2011 at both Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs.

Vernon Downs posted strong increases in business in 2011 with casino credits played at the upstate casino increasing 14.1% ($64 million) over 2010, with net revenue for the casino posting a 2.6% increase in business, good for $1.1 million dollars.

The Food and Beverage department also posted strong gains in 2011, increasing business 18.3% over 2010.

Vernon Downs also had traffic at the property increase sharply during 2011, with attendance being up 11.6% over 2010.

Vernon Downs' significant increases in casino play were helped with the addition of the tax-exempt free play program that began in April 2011.

Also driving business in 2011 for Vernon Downs was the opening of the $8.9 million dollar hotel expansion that included a multi-purpose convention space for concerts, weddings, catering, and receptions, along with a new state-of-the-art simulcasting facility, and the luxurious Mr. G's Food and Spirits restaurant.

Tioga Downs also posted a 9.8% increase in casino credits played ($66.5 million) for 2011 when compared to 2010, with net revenue for the casino up 7.5% or $4 million dollars.

The food and beverage numbers at Tioga Downs also saw a large increase, due in part to a $5 buffet promotion it held the last quarter of the year.

The Food and Beverage number closed out 2011 with a 7.7% increase.

The Tioga Downs gift shop showed the largest increase in business in 2011 with a 92.7% increase over 2010.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center. It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.