Columbus, OH — While the casino at Monticello Raceway is due to close this spring, harness racing will continue at the storied Catskill track, at least for the time being.

According to a report from the Middletown, N.Y. Times Herald-Record, the video lottery operation is being closed as to avoid competition with the nearby Resorts World Catskills in Thompson, which is also owned by Empire Resorts Inc. and opened last February. The report also indicates that Empire management pledged to keep horse racing in Monticello, but that said promise was not formally made in writing.