Exciting events at Turning Stone, Downs

Mike Tyson is visiting Turning Stone this weekend, while Vernon Downs will celebrate the Belmont Stakes.

The action is hot at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona and Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel in Vernon this week as they bring world-class entertainment like Mike Tyson’s boxing and the Belmont Stakes to Central New York.

At Turning Stone, ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will broadcast live boxing excitement from the Event Center by boxing legend-turned-promoter Mike Tyson and his Iron Mike Productions.

The festivities kick offff today at noon in the Showroom with a pre- fifight news conference with Tyson and the boxers headlining Friday night’s show. The news conference is free and open to the public.

Themain event will be a 10-round junior middleweight championship bout featuring Yudel Jhonson (15-1, 9KOs) facing Norberto Gonzalez (20-3, 13 KOs) for the WBC Latin Title.

The co-feature is an 8-round welterweight bout featuring Sammy Vasquez Jr. (14-0, 10KOs) taking on Jay Krupp (17-6, 8KOs). The special attraction is Ievgen Khytrov (4-0, 4KOs) versus Chris Chatman (12-3-1, 5Kos) in an 6-round middle weight bout.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the fifirst bout scheduled for 8 p.m. All bouts are subject to change. Tickets are $60, $35, $25 and $15, and are on sale nowby visiting the Turning Stone box offiffice, calling (315) 361-7469, or through Ticketmaster.

Nine bouts are scheduled, and the live broadcast on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights begins at 10:30 p.m.

Tyson isn’t the only national name at Turning Stone this weekend. Former Saturday Night Live cast member and movie star comedian Jim Breuer is in the Showroom on Saturday at 8 p.m. That show is for 18 and older.

The full lineup of live entertainment at the many venues at Turning Stone includes:

June5

• Mike Tyson/ESPN Friday Night Fights news conference in the Showroom at noon. Free and open to the public.

• Daisy Dukes & Cowboy Boots w/DVDJ Biggie (Live Country Mix) at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m.

• Rock the Mic (Open Mic and Karaoke) at The Gig at 9

• Professional Boxing – ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Event Center at 8 p.m. $15-$60. • Fulton Chain Gang at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m.

• Showtime at The Gig at 9:30 p.m.

• Tony Sands at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

June7

• Cosmic Bingo for 18 and over in the Bingo Hall at 10:30 p.m. $11.

• Comedian Jim Breuer in the Showroom at 8 p.m. $20$25.

• Beadle Brothers at Tin Rooster at 10 p.m.

• Hard Promises at The Gig at 9:30 p.m.

• Tony Sands at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

June8

p.m. with sign-ups at 8 p.m.

• Steve Laureti at Turquoise Tiger at 10 p.m.

June6

• Backyard BBQ, with live music by Double Stop in the Exit 33 Atrium and Tin Rooster. No cover. Features Tin Rooster’s “all you can eat” barbecue buffet from noon to 8 p.m. for $18.95, and live music from 2 to 8 p.m.

The Gig has a “Pitcher and Pie” promotion on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30-10 p.m. where guests can get a pizza and a pitcher of beer for $15. The Atrium Bar offers half-price sushi every Wednesday through Saturday from 4-8 p.m.

The Lava nightclub brings the high energy moves of Bachata, dubstep, electronic, hip hop, house, and trap favorites every Thursday through Saturday. Upcoming Lava events include:

• June 5: Characters Welcome, with DJ Davey D. Doors open at 10 p.m. with free entry for 21 and over and $20 cover for under 21.

• June 6: Cabana Launch Party, with DJ Dread. Doors open at 10 p.m. with free entry for ladies and $10 cover for men.

• June 7: Special Guests DJ Jerzy and DJMado. Doors open at 10 p.m. with $20 cover.

“Oz Guess& Win” runs through Sunday, giving guests the chance to scan their TS Rewards Card into a special kiosk to guess how many lollipops are in a con- tainer. The closest without going over wins $500 Free Play; the second closest without going over wins $250 Free Play; the third closest without going over wins $100 Free Play; and the closest guess over the total wins $50 Free Play.

Contestants can enter once each day. Winners will be chosen on Monday.

“Father’s Day Guess& Win” starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday, June 15. Guests can scan their TS Rewards Card into a special kiosk to guess howmany items are in a container. One entry is allowed each day and winners will be picked on Monday, June 16.

The closest guess without going over wins a $500 Free Play; the second closest without going over wins a $250 Free Play; the third closest without going over wins a $100 Free Play; and the closest guess over wins a $50 Free Play.

Turning Stone’s “Spin& Win” promotion runs every Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. through June 26, except June 11, 17, 24. The promo gives lucky guests the chance to spin the prize wheel by announcing three numbers every hour. Anyone with those numbers on his or her driver’s license has 30 minutes to spin the wheel.

This and every Tuesday, Turning Stone presents their “2X Tuesdays” promotion from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. where guests earn double points on their TS Rewards card.

Million Dollar Bingo will return to Turning Stone’s world-class Bingo Hall and the Showroom on June 28. Admission packages are on sale now at the Turning Stone box offiffice, or by calling (315) 361-7469. Packages are designated at Levels 1-3 and priced at $139, $189, $239.

Doors open at 8 a.m., with games beginning at 10:15 a.m. The fifinal jackpot game of the session will have a possible $1 million prize for Level 3 players. Formore information, call Turning Stone’s Bingo Hotline at (800) 782-1938.

Turning Stone Resort Casino is located at 5218 Patrick Road in Verona, right offff of New York State Thruway exit 33. For more information visit their website at: www.turningstone.com

At Vernon Downs this Saturday, race fans can watch and wager on the 146th Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, live from Belmont Park with post time at 6:40 p.m.

There will be bonus $2 win tickets and commemorative posters available at 5 p.m. while supplies last for anyone purchasing a program for Vernon Downs live racing that evening. Triple Crown Combo specials trackside include hamburger, chips, and soda for $7.50 and Hoffman hot dog, chips and soda for $6.50.

The Miracle Mile Restaurant will be open at noon with a full menu, and the Gold Cup Buffet opens at 5 p.m. Special Belmont drinks include $6 Belmont Jewels and $3 for 16 ounce draft beer.

On Sunday, Vernon Downs hosts a special night of racing with the Empire Breeder’s Classic Finals Night featuring New York’s finest three-yearold trotters. There is also the Empire Stakes three-year-old pace, the $800 handicapping contest, a live bugler, and a Empire Breeder’s Classic Tshirt giveaway while supplies last. Post time is at 6:45 p.m.

Vernon Downs’ post times this weekend are Thursday through Sunday at 6:45 p.m.

“Dollar Days” on Thursdays during live racing give guests $1 hot dogs, sodas, drafts, popcorn and live race programs. Their “Change Your Luck Thursdays” promo during live racing gives race fans the chance to put their losing betting tickets into second-chance drawings for the chance to win a $50 wagering voucher.

The “Gimmie $1 Million Dollars” golf ball drop promo at the track will give 25 lucky contestants the chance for cash prizes, with the grand prize winner taking the million bucks paid out over 40 years. Fans can sign up during live racing from now through Aug. 9. The drop date is Aug. 23.

Vernon Downs‘ “Horse Play” runs now through Sept. 6 and will not only give a lucky race fan the chance at a 2014 Kia Soul HB with an MSRP of $17,110, but benefifit local charities at the same time.

A$1 donation gets the contestant a rubber horse for the chance to toss it into the moving car for an entry into the grand prize drawing Sept. 6. The rubber horses are available at the Promotions Table.

Charities that will benefifit from the sales of those rubber horses include SpecialOlym- pics in June, Community Action Partnership in July, AIDS Community Resource in August, and the SPCA in September. All proceeds fromthe sales of the horses will be matched by Vernon Downs. Kids can also get in on the fun by helping pick up the rubber horses from the track, and then they can turn the horses in at Trackside Express Concessions for a free ice cream.

The “Showdown Handicapping Contest” runs now through Nov. 1, giving fans the chance to pick one horse each race day to fifinish third or better. If the horse does, they advance to the next day. The last contestant in the game wins. First prize is $1,500 and second place is $750. Registration is free.

On the gaming flfloor, Vernon Downs’ new “Sunsational Summer Saturdays” promotion runs every Saturday in June from 8 to 11 p.m. It will give one winner every hour who is seated in the right seat at the right time the chance to pick a sun from the prize board to win cash.

That guest can then keep the prize or take a chance by spinning the wheel to double or even triple the prize. There are other prizes as well. Guests must be a Your Clubmember and be present to win.

Vernon Downs’ summertime Party on the Terrace events have returned every Wednesday from5-8 p.m. The party is held on the Event Center’s roof top terrace, accessed from room 318.

There are food specials on hot dogs, soft shell tacos, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pulled pork sliders, and chicken spiedies; plus cole slaw, salt potatoes, and chips. Drink specials include beer, specialty drinks, and CK Mondaviwine. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. If there is bad weather, the party moves to the patio at Mr. G’s.

New gamers signing up for their fifirst Your Club card can get up to $30 in bonus Free Plays. Those new members get a punch card and for each $10 played on the gaming machines they will receive another $10 in Free Play. That bonus can be used three times within 30 days of signing up.

“Friday Frenzy!” every Friday on the gaming flfloor gives guests the chance to take part in random hot seat drawings for $250 in Free Plays every 30minutes from 6 to 11 p.m. Guests must be playing on a Your Club card to be eligible.

“Sunday Funday” offers the chance to win between $50 to $200 in cash from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Three winners will be drawn every 30 minutes, and they must be Your Club members to qualify for the drawing.

“Senior Day” on Wednesdays gives guests who are 50 and older double points on their Your Club cards. As an added bonus, they also receive the discount of a $6.99 lunch at Champions Buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or $9.99 dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The are themed meals at Champions Buffet every day of the week: Monday is homestyle, Tuesday is Italian, Wednesday is Senior Day BBQ, Thursday is Asian, Friday is Steak and Clams, Saturday is Crab Legs, and Sunday is Brunch. Your Club members can enjoy $5 early bird specials on the buffet Mondays through Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., and $8.99 buffets on Sundays, except for holidays.

Ring Eyed Pete’s Bar on the gaming flfloor brings to their stage free entertainment every Friday and Saturday night at 9 p.m. Upcoming live local acts include:

• June 6: Dunes and the Deltunes

• June 7: Matt Chase and the Thunder Canyon Band

Even when there is no live racing at Vernon Downs, their simulcast room keeps harness racing excitement going year-round. It features three giant movielike screens with 27 individual carrels and 11 private tables, all with LCD TVs to deliver all the action from the most popular harness racing tracks.

The simulcast room is located just off the hotel lobby. Cocktail and food service is available with seating for 75, with both self-bet and teller wagering. Simulcast wagering is open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 11:15 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is located at 4229 Stuhlman Road in Vernon, just south of the intersection with Route 5. For more information, log on to: www.vernondowns.com