NYRA Welcomes the USO to Belmont Park

NYRA was proud to welcome the USO to Belmont Park on May 27th as part of our Memorial Day weekend festivities. Natalie Loftin Bell of the USO Liberty Bells performed the National Anthem and presented the trophy for the first race.

NYRA offered FREE admission to currently serving military men and women and their families and we look forward to welcoming them back next year!

NYRA Joined in the Armed Forces Day Ceremony in South Floral Park

I was delighted to attend the Armed Forces Day ceremony in South Floral Park, NY on May 19th. NYRA is proud to receive the invitation from the Mayor of South Floral Park each year and we thank the community for including NYRA in their ceremony to commemorate this very special day.

NYRA's Assistant General Counsel and Compliance Officer Visits P.S./M.S. 146 for Career Day

Pasquale Viscusi, NYRA's Assistant General Counsel and Compliance Officer, visited P.S./M.S 146 in Queens for their annual Career Day. Once again, Pasquale wowed the students with his personal experiences as he has worked in Thoroughbred racing for over 25 years. This was his second invitation to join the school on this important day. Pasquale provided the students with NYRA caps to commemorate the occasion. NYRA was honored to participate once again!

NYRA Welcomed Tiger Cub Scout Den #1 to Belmont Park

NYRA was proud to welcome Tiger Cub Scout Den #1 (Floral Park-Bellerose Pack 482) to Belmont Park! The scouts toured the Jockey's Room and they met Sam the Bugler who played a few familiar tunes for them. The scouts were thrilled to join top jockey, Ramon Dominquez, in the Winner's Circle following his win in the 8th race. They had a terrific time at beautiful Belmont Park!

NYRA Welcomes Community Leaders to Belmont Park on Opening Day

The New York Racing Association, Inc. was proud to welcome local officialas and community leaders from Elmont, Floral Park and Garden City at Belmont Park on Opening Day, April 27th. NYRA Chief Financial Officer, Susanne Stover, joined the group for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the paddock. NYRA honored the community leaders and their outstanding work by naming the first race for them.

NYRA to host Belmont Stakes 5 K Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer

McClain Honored as One of Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal

Ellen McClain, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), has been named one of 2012’s “25 Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal (TNJ).

“It is a wonderful honor to be named to this list by The Network Journal,” said McClain, who holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration (’93) and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brown University (’86). “The list includes many extraordinary women and it is a great thrill to be recognized alongside them.”

McClain, 47, was hired by NYRA in July 2009 as senior vice president and chief financial officer. In that position, she restructured the finance organization to better meet the financial reporting, cash management and compliance demands of NYRA, a complex organization with three facilities, secure wagering operations and an extensive simulcast television network.

In October 2011, McClain, who boasts a 20-year track record in media finance and operations, was promoted to NYRA executive vice president and chief operating officer, becoming both the first woman and the first African-American to serve in this role for the company.

“Ellen is very deserving of this honor and I join everyone at NYRA in congratulating her,” said Charles Hayward, NYRA president and chief executive officer. “Her management skills – tremendous strategic vision, analytical insight, and strong collaborative abilities – made her a natural fit for appointment to one of the most significant management positions in the thoroughbred racing industry.”

The honorees will be featured in the March issue of the TNJ. In addition, TNJ will honor these movers and shakers during Women’s History Month at its 14th Anniversary Luncheon on March 22 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.

“The women we are honoring this year are in the forefront of American leadership and symbolize the diversity and advancement that has occurred across industry lines,” states TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the luncheon will be Brenda Blackmon, co-anchor of My9 WWOR-TV and author of “A Mom’s Story”. The event annually attracts a ‘Who’s Who’ of prominent business executives in various industries.

A full list of the honorees can be found at the following site: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9159449.htm

About The Network Journal

Founded in 1993, The Network Journal a premier monthly magazine except combined issues in July/August and December/January which plays a major role in sharing information and resources that informs and educates professionals, corporate executives and small business owners by providing news and commentary on issues that affect the growth of businesses and the advancement of professionals in the workplace for an audience of predominantly African-American. Engaging over 88,000 readers, The Network Journal is distributed nationwide with a focus on the Tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT) and features successful entrepreneurs and professionals who offer insights on business and career-building strategies, The Network Journal highlights trends in key industries, providing information on valuable resources in the corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors. For more information call 212-962-3791, or visit the web site: www.tnj.com

About The New York Racing Association, Inc.

Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2011, more than 1.8 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $8.1 million. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.