Meet the Board
KIM DELONG – PRESIDENT
Kim is the Administration Manager at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. She has been on the property for 37 years beginning her career here as the Jockey Payroll Clerk for the H. B. P. A. She then joined the Association management team in 1989 to present. Kim is a lifelong resident of Farmington and a member of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. Before becoming Board President she was the Fund Raising Chair for the Board and was elected President in June 2014. Kim was instrumental in ensuring that FLTAP was accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in October of 2014.
Kim can be reached at kdelong@delawarenorth.com or 585-742-9202
Wanda Polisseni – Vice President
Born and raised on a farm in Yates County and graduated from State University of Delhi where her family boarded Standardbred horses, Wanda married and had four children. In 1977 her husband, Gene, and family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to open Paychex, Inc. Since retiring from Paychex, she has devoted her time to racing, both Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds, and to many charitable organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She serves on several boards including Rochester General Hospital, Thompson Health Foundation, New York State Troopers Foundation, MCMEC, Crisis Nursery, The Polisseni Foundation, Finger Lakes HBPA, as well as FLTAP. In 2024, The Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association inducted Wanda in to the Hall of Fame for all her work in promoting racing and Thoroughbred Aftercare.
“I have loved horses and ridden since I was a little girl. My greatest wish is that no horse has to face the perils of slaughter and I hope through all of our efforts we can achieve this.”
Natalie D’Aurizo – SECRETARY
Natalie works for Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in the Marketing Department.
Neil DeMoney – TREASURER
Neil joined Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack (FLGR) as the Director of Finance in early 2022. Prior to joining FLGR, Neil served in similar capacities in the Lab Sciences and Medical Device industries. Neil graduated with his degree in Accounting from Rochester Institute of Technology. In his spare time, Neil enjoys hiking, foraging, and beekeeping.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BOARD MEMBERS
PATRICK PLACITO
Patrick Placito is the Director of Simulcasting and Mutuel Manager at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. He is originally from Canandaigua, New York, and he has an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York and is also an MBA graduate. He has over Thirty years of experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry. His Thoroughbred racing career began in the New England circuit at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park. Some of the positions he held within the racing industry include but are not limited to Racing Official, Assistant Racing Secretary, Assistant Mutuel Manager, Money Room Manager, Main Banker, Simulcast Coordinator and Stakes Director.
Patrick can be reached at pplacito@delawarenorth.com or 585-742-9236
RICHARD J. CUTRI
A native of Canandaigua, NY, he graduated from the University of Rochester MBA in 1976 and retired from Xerox Corporation in December of 2003.
He serves on the boards of HBPA and FLTAP as well as Granger Homestead, Saint Joseph's Villa, F. F. Thompson Hospital, and the advisory committee of the Canandaigua YMCA.
“I have been associated with horse racing for over 30 years. As an owner, my concern has always been with the welfare of the horses both on the track and after they retire from their racing career.”
MIKE LECESSE
Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Mike is a father of two. He has trained racehorses for over 30 years at Finger Lakes Racetrack. He has had many stakes horses including but not limited to: Missionary Monk, Sinbad the Sailor, As Wicked, Fly To Me, and Tin Cup Chalice who was the first and only New York Triple Winner. He currently trains at Finger Lakes Racetrack and manages and owns R & R Farms. Mike joined FLTAP Board to help take an active role in helping former racehorses find homes after retiring.
CHRIS RIEGLE
Chris graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener Canada with a bachelor degree in Business Administration. He oversees all aspects of the gaming and racing operations of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack. He started his pari-mutuel career with Sportsystems, the pari-mutuel and gaming division of Delaware North Companies in 1987. While working at Delaware North Companies, he rose through various positions until 1992 when he accepted the position of Controller at Finger Lakes Racetrack. Chris was promoted to President and General Manager in 1998. Executive member of the New York Coalition to Promote and Preserve Racing that was the driving force responsible for the enabling legislation that allowed the introduction of VGM's in New York. He lead the team that was responsible for the re-emergence of the Finger Lakes property as a first class entertainment venue with the opening of the second video gaming facility in the State of New York in 2004. He designed and implemented the first video gaming machine expansion in New York in 2006.
DAVE BROWN
Dave is former President of Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Protective and Benevolent. Dave is semi-retired and a founding member of Brown and Tarentino, LLP. He has been a horse owner for several years and races at Finger Lakes.
VIEDEN ZAHARIEV
Vieden is Assistant General Manager for Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. Vieden has worked at Delaware North Companies corporate office and in the Parks division at Yellowstone before coming to Finger Lakes as Senior Director of Finance in 2007.
Vieden can be reached at 585-742-9200
Paul Barrow
Along with his wife Karen, Paul has been at Finger Lakes Racetrack since 1985 and he received his trainers license in 1991. As an Owner, Trainer and Breeder, he supports aftercare for the Thoroughbreds and is honored to be apart of Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program’s Board of Directors.
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