Texas holdem saying. Timothy J. Rooney was destined to be president and CEO of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Indeed, he owes his very name to horse racing.
One of the stories told about the legendary Rooneys – his father, Art, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the family still owns – concerns a bet that Art made around the time the third of his five sons was about to be born.
MGM will acquire the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, N.Y., from the Rooney family, which has owned the operation at Yonkers Raceway for more than four decades. The Wall Street Journal reported in. His work exemplifies Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway's motto! 5 people have recommended Michael Join now to view View Michael's full profile. Timothy Rooney Jr. Rooney was destined to be president and CEO of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Indeed, he owes his very name to horse racing. One of the stories told about the legendary Rooneys – his father, Art, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the family still owns – concerns a bet that Art made around the time the third of his.
'In those days, you placed your bet with a bookie, like they do in England and Ireland,' Timothy Rooney says. Art placed this one with a friend and leading bookmaker – Tim Mara, who was also owner of the New York Giants. The bet paid off big, thanks in part to a tip Tim had given him, so Art honored him by naming his third son Timothy.
It was the beginning of what we might call Six Degrees of Timothy: Tim Mara had a son named Wellington Timothy Mara, who succeeded his father. Wellington had a Timothy, too – Timothy Christopher 'Chris' Mara, the Giants' vice president of player evaluation, who married Timothy Rooney's daughter Kathleen. Among Chris and Kathleen's children are the actresses Kate Mara, who appeared in the acclaimed series 'House of Cards,' and Rooney Mara, who broke through in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'
'I see most of their films,' says their proud grandfather, who's looking forward to catching Rooney Mara's turn in the Oscar-winning 'Her' when it comes to DVD. 'I enjoy them very much. They're very talented and they're interested in working with all the great producers and directors to learn as much as they can. They're diligent. And that's absolutely essential no matter what field you're in.'
Family is key to Rooney.
'I really think our successful background comes from our parents. You learned respect for others, honesty, loyalty.'
Tim Rooney Empire City Casino Entertainment
It wasn't just his father who instilled these values but his mother, Kathleen.
'She was very funny and quick-witted with a lot of old Irish sayings.' She would say, for instance, that someone was 'so proper he'd wear a riding hat to eat horseradish.'
Timothy Rooney has his mother's silver tongue. He's an easy conversationalist, who can flow from Triple Crown winners to pizza parlors (try Johnny's Pizzeria in Mount Vernon, he says) and conjure images of an underage kid so in love with horses that he'd sneak under a fence or hang out by a barn to catch the racing action. When the Rooney family bought the raceway in 1972, he was a natural to run it. (Timothy Rooney no longer has any stake in the Steelers as the NFL stipulates that team owners cannot have gambling interests.)
By then the raceway had seen a lot of history. A Yonkers landmark, the track began with harness racing when William H. Clark opened it as the Empire City Trotting Club in 1899. When he died a year later, the track went dark except for events like the 1902 car race in which Barney Oldfield, driving the Ford '999,' set a one-mile record with a time of 55:54 seconds. Gambling mental health problems children.
New York grocery titan James Butler would return the other kind of horse power to Yonkers, reopening the venue in 1907, this time for Thoroughbreds like Seabiscuit, who took the Scarsdale Handicap in 1936 on his way to his eventual victory over War Admiral.
The track returned to harness racing in 1942. Eight years later, the Algam Corp., headed by William H. Cane, turned the site into Yonkers Raceway.
The turbulent '60s saw a decline in harness racing's popularity and in the raceway, though the diehard fans still came. Rooney can remember looking up at the bank of TVs on the pillars of the grandstand the day in August 1974 that President Richard Nixon resigned. Every TV carried Nixon's image. And every bettor had his eyeballs glued to his program.
Launched in 2006, Smart Betting Club (formerly known as ‘Secret Betting Club'), is an independent and honest reviewer and assessor of tipster services, systems and strategies. Their service is primarily aimed at punters seeking legitimate proofing/information on tipsters. Free Super Tips is the home of free sports betting tips. Our experienced tipsters have been bashing bookies and finding value in betting for years, and we want to let you in on the secret. Whether you're a seasoned stat-loving sports fan who's addicted to analytics or a passionate punter looking for that perfect accumulator, we can help. Gambling tips in vegas.
Rooney is not like that. 'I very seldom make a bet, except for the Breeders' Cup and the Ascot, which I go to every year.'
But he is fascinated by breeding, bloodlines and equine evolution.
'The interesting thing is that Thoroughbreds' speed has not dramatically changed, although they are faster now. But the speed of the harness horses has evolved in the past 50 years.'
Back then, Rooney says, a good harness horse, or Standardbred, might run the raceway's one-half-mile dirt track in 2:05. 'If a harness horse did 2:05 today, you'd be giving him away to the Amish or maybe to Mayor (Bill) de Blasio' – a reference to the New York City mayor's plan to do away with horse-drawn carriages in Central Park.
Tim Rooney Empire City Casino
Faster turns and lighter bikes (the carts the drivers sit in) are among the contributors to the greater speed. But the evolution of the harness horse is probably nothing compared to the change Yonkers Raceway has undergone. The track moseyed along in the 1990s, welcoming flea markets and the annual Westchester County Fair. There were cosmetic effects as well. The finish line was moved in 1996 to the end of the stretch, increasing the length of the stretch from 440 to 660 feet. A year later, the grandstand was demolished.
Then in 2001, New York state authorized slot machines at eight racetracks, including Yonkers Raceway, paving the way for a $225 million renovation by EwingCole. The original six-story clubhouse was refurbished to accommodate slots and restaurants on the first two floors. A one-story building was added to hold additional video gaming machines, a food court, bars and an entertainment lounge. (Under state lottery laws, you must be at least 18 to play any of the 5,380 slots at Empire City, not to mention video roulette, electronic craps, Sic Bo and the holographic baccarat games that are expected to go live at the end of May.)
Rooney calls the state's decision 'the most dramatic effect. Without the slots, Yonkers Raceway would've become a shopping center.' The proof of the turnaround: During the first week of its October 2006 opening, the raceway netted $3.8 million, streaking by its nearest competitor, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, by two-thirds.
A year ago, Empire City Casino unveiled a $50 million, 66,000-square-foot expansion that relocates 700 slots and video table games; includes two new restaurants – Dan Rooney's Bar and Café and Pinch; and features a new, high-tech entrance, a 300-foot curved glass wall and a 30,000-square-foot modern gaming floor crowned by artwork of the Manhattan skyline.
The raceway remains home to the Messenger Stakes, one leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers; the Yonkers Trot, a leg of the Triple Crown for Trotters; and the Art Rooney Pace. But when Hurricane Sandy hit, it was transformed into a hub for Con Edison to distribute dry ice and blankets.
Meanwhile, Timothy Rooney dispatched the Empire City culinary team to serve hot meals to first responders and residents in hard-hit areas, donated $500,000 to the Catholic Charities Hurricane Sandy Relief and Recovery Fund and a $100,000 matching grant to the Empire State Relief Fund.
Rooney, who divides his time between Westchester and Florida, says at first he wasn't aware of the depth of the tragedy. When it hit him, he hit the ground running.
'With so many people devastated,' he says, 'anyone in a position to help had to help.'
Art and Kathleen would've expected nothing less.
The iconic New York Daily News Golden Gloves returns to Empire City Casino for the fifth consecutive year on Wednesday,March 11th. The 2015 semi-finals of the fabled amateur boxing tournament will be hosted on the casino's fourth floor.
The oldest and most esteemed amateur event in the U.S., celebrating its 88th anniversary this season, has produced generations of legendary boxers including Sugar Ray Robinson, Emile Griffith, Floyd Patterson, Riddick Bowe, Gerry Cooney, Mark Breland, Jose Torres, and Zab Judah.
'We are proud that the Daily News Golden Gloves has become part of the great sports tradition at Empire City Casino, and is now in its fifth year,' said president & CEO, Timothy J. Rooney. 'Two New York institutions are once again teaming up for what we know will be an exciting event for fight fans.'
General Admission tickets are $25;senior citizens and college students are $15; and first responders will receive free admission. To receive free or discounted tickets, guests must present valid photo ID. For more information visit http://www.nydn.us/gg or call Brian Adams at the Daily News at 212-210-1908 or Empire City Casino at 914-968-4200.
Doors open at 6:30 PMand first bell is 7:30 PMsharp. These in-demand tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis only at the door on fight night. Tickets and seating are limited.
Texas holdem saying. Timothy J. Rooney was destined to be president and CEO of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Indeed, he owes his very name to horse racing.
One of the stories told about the legendary Rooneys – his father, Art, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the family still owns – concerns a bet that Art made around the time the third of his five sons was about to be born.
MGM will acquire the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, N.Y., from the Rooney family, which has owned the operation at Yonkers Raceway for more than four decades. The Wall Street Journal reported in. His work exemplifies Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway's motto! 5 people have recommended Michael Join now to view View Michael's full profile. Timothy Rooney Jr. Rooney was destined to be president and CEO of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Indeed, he owes his very name to horse racing. One of the stories told about the legendary Rooneys – his father, Art, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the family still owns – concerns a bet that Art made around the time the third of his.
'In those days, you placed your bet with a bookie, like they do in England and Ireland,' Timothy Rooney says. Art placed this one with a friend and leading bookmaker – Tim Mara, who was also owner of the New York Giants. The bet paid off big, thanks in part to a tip Tim had given him, so Art honored him by naming his third son Timothy.
It was the beginning of what we might call Six Degrees of Timothy: Tim Mara had a son named Wellington Timothy Mara, who succeeded his father. Wellington had a Timothy, too – Timothy Christopher 'Chris' Mara, the Giants' vice president of player evaluation, who married Timothy Rooney's daughter Kathleen. Among Chris and Kathleen's children are the actresses Kate Mara, who appeared in the acclaimed series 'House of Cards,' and Rooney Mara, who broke through in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'
'I see most of their films,' says their proud grandfather, who's looking forward to catching Rooney Mara's turn in the Oscar-winning 'Her' when it comes to DVD. 'I enjoy them very much. They're very talented and they're interested in working with all the great producers and directors to learn as much as they can. They're diligent. And that's absolutely essential no matter what field you're in.'
Family is key to Rooney.
'I really think our successful background comes from our parents. You learned respect for others, honesty, loyalty.'
Tim Rooney Empire City Casino Entertainment
It wasn't just his father who instilled these values but his mother, Kathleen.
'She was very funny and quick-witted with a lot of old Irish sayings.' She would say, for instance, that someone was 'so proper he'd wear a riding hat to eat horseradish.'
Timothy Rooney has his mother's silver tongue. He's an easy conversationalist, who can flow from Triple Crown winners to pizza parlors (try Johnny's Pizzeria in Mount Vernon, he says) and conjure images of an underage kid so in love with horses that he'd sneak under a fence or hang out by a barn to catch the racing action. When the Rooney family bought the raceway in 1972, he was a natural to run it. (Timothy Rooney no longer has any stake in the Steelers as the NFL stipulates that team owners cannot have gambling interests.)
By then the raceway had seen a lot of history. A Yonkers landmark, the track began with harness racing when William H. Clark opened it as the Empire City Trotting Club in 1899. When he died a year later, the track went dark except for events like the 1902 car race in which Barney Oldfield, driving the Ford '999,' set a one-mile record with a time of 55:54 seconds. Gambling mental health problems children.
New York grocery titan James Butler would return the other kind of horse power to Yonkers, reopening the venue in 1907, this time for Thoroughbreds like Seabiscuit, who took the Scarsdale Handicap in 1936 on his way to his eventual victory over War Admiral.
The track returned to harness racing in 1942. Eight years later, the Algam Corp., headed by William H. Cane, turned the site into Yonkers Raceway.
The turbulent '60s saw a decline in harness racing's popularity and in the raceway, though the diehard fans still came. Rooney can remember looking up at the bank of TVs on the pillars of the grandstand the day in August 1974 that President Richard Nixon resigned. Every TV carried Nixon's image. And every bettor had his eyeballs glued to his program.
Launched in 2006, Smart Betting Club (formerly known as ‘Secret Betting Club'), is an independent and honest reviewer and assessor of tipster services, systems and strategies. Their service is primarily aimed at punters seeking legitimate proofing/information on tipsters. Free Super Tips is the home of free sports betting tips. Our experienced tipsters have been bashing bookies and finding value in betting for years, and we want to let you in on the secret. Whether you're a seasoned stat-loving sports fan who's addicted to analytics or a passionate punter looking for that perfect accumulator, we can help. Gambling tips in vegas.
Rooney is not like that. 'I very seldom make a bet, except for the Breeders' Cup and the Ascot, which I go to every year.'
But he is fascinated by breeding, bloodlines and equine evolution.
'The interesting thing is that Thoroughbreds' speed has not dramatically changed, although they are faster now. But the speed of the harness horses has evolved in the past 50 years.'
Back then, Rooney says, a good harness horse, or Standardbred, might run the raceway's one-half-mile dirt track in 2:05. 'If a harness horse did 2:05 today, you'd be giving him away to the Amish or maybe to Mayor (Bill) de Blasio' – a reference to the New York City mayor's plan to do away with horse-drawn carriages in Central Park.
Tim Rooney Empire City Casino
Faster turns and lighter bikes (the carts the drivers sit in) are among the contributors to the greater speed. But the evolution of the harness horse is probably nothing compared to the change Yonkers Raceway has undergone. The track moseyed along in the 1990s, welcoming flea markets and the annual Westchester County Fair. There were cosmetic effects as well. The finish line was moved in 1996 to the end of the stretch, increasing the length of the stretch from 440 to 660 feet. A year later, the grandstand was demolished.
Then in 2001, New York state authorized slot machines at eight racetracks, including Yonkers Raceway, paving the way for a $225 million renovation by EwingCole. The original six-story clubhouse was refurbished to accommodate slots and restaurants on the first two floors. A one-story building was added to hold additional video gaming machines, a food court, bars and an entertainment lounge. (Under state lottery laws, you must be at least 18 to play any of the 5,380 slots at Empire City, not to mention video roulette, electronic craps, Sic Bo and the holographic baccarat games that are expected to go live at the end of May.)
Rooney calls the state's decision 'the most dramatic effect. Without the slots, Yonkers Raceway would've become a shopping center.' The proof of the turnaround: During the first week of its October 2006 opening, the raceway netted $3.8 million, streaking by its nearest competitor, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, by two-thirds.
A year ago, Empire City Casino unveiled a $50 million, 66,000-square-foot expansion that relocates 700 slots and video table games; includes two new restaurants – Dan Rooney's Bar and Café and Pinch; and features a new, high-tech entrance, a 300-foot curved glass wall and a 30,000-square-foot modern gaming floor crowned by artwork of the Manhattan skyline.
The raceway remains home to the Messenger Stakes, one leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers; the Yonkers Trot, a leg of the Triple Crown for Trotters; and the Art Rooney Pace. But when Hurricane Sandy hit, it was transformed into a hub for Con Edison to distribute dry ice and blankets.
Meanwhile, Timothy Rooney dispatched the Empire City culinary team to serve hot meals to first responders and residents in hard-hit areas, donated $500,000 to the Catholic Charities Hurricane Sandy Relief and Recovery Fund and a $100,000 matching grant to the Empire State Relief Fund.
Rooney, who divides his time between Westchester and Florida, says at first he wasn't aware of the depth of the tragedy. When it hit him, he hit the ground running.
'With so many people devastated,' he says, 'anyone in a position to help had to help.'
Art and Kathleen would've expected nothing less.
The iconic New York Daily News Golden Gloves returns to Empire City Casino for the fifth consecutive year on Wednesday,March 11th. The 2015 semi-finals of the fabled amateur boxing tournament will be hosted on the casino's fourth floor.
The oldest and most esteemed amateur event in the U.S., celebrating its 88th anniversary this season, has produced generations of legendary boxers including Sugar Ray Robinson, Emile Griffith, Floyd Patterson, Riddick Bowe, Gerry Cooney, Mark Breland, Jose Torres, and Zab Judah.
'We are proud that the Daily News Golden Gloves has become part of the great sports tradition at Empire City Casino, and is now in its fifth year,' said president & CEO, Timothy J. Rooney. 'Two New York institutions are once again teaming up for what we know will be an exciting event for fight fans.'
General Admission tickets are $25;senior citizens and college students are $15; and first responders will receive free admission. To receive free or discounted tickets, guests must present valid photo ID. For more information visit http://www.nydn.us/gg or call Brian Adams at the Daily News at 212-210-1908 or Empire City Casino at 914-968-4200.
Doors open at 6:30 PMand first bell is 7:30 PMsharp. These in-demand tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis only at the door on fight night. Tickets and seating are limited.
Yonkers Raceway first opened its doors in 1899, and in over 115 years of its history has been the home to harness racing's Triple Crown events such as the Yonkers Trot, Cane Pace and Messenger Stakes, as well as such premier stakes races as the Art Rooney Pace. Professional boxing had been held in the Old Glory Horse Pavilion, and many major fights shown on closed circuit television. But the Daily News Golden Gloves, the most elite Golden Gloves tournament in the country for 88 years, became a 'first-time starter' in 2011.
About Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway:
Empire City Casino, one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast, features 5,300 of the hottest slots, electronic craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo; year-round harness racing & International simulcasting; live entertainment including the best party, tribute and Latin bands, comedy, & more. A plethora of dining options will satisfy even the most discerning palate with Italian cuisine at Nonno's Trattoria; trackside dining with live betting at Empire Terrace Restaurant; and convenient delicious options at the International Food Court or Lil' Cocina. A new $50 million expansion added Dan Rooney's, a high-energy sports bar, Pinch American Grill, in collaboration with Ducasse Studio, featuring dozens of New York craft beers on tap, and Alley 810, a craft cocktail lounge rounds out the entertainment options with retro bowling lanes. Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, NY, Westchester County, open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 6:00 am. Visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200 for information.