NYRA Opens Belmont Park with Ribbon Cutting and Trophy Presentation Saluting Our Local Officials and Community Leaders

NYRA President and CEO Charles E. Hayward welcomed local officials: Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Town of Hempstead Councilman Ed Ambrosino, and Nassau County Legislators John Ciotti and Vincent Muscarella for a ribbon-cutting in the paddock to officially open the Belmont Park 2010 race meet. NYRA proudly acknowledged our local community leaders from Elmont, the Village of Floral Park and the Village of Garden City. Our community leaders were joined by John Sabini, Chairman NYS Racing and Wagering Board and Charles Diamond, NYS Racing and Wagering Board Member.

Garden City Chamber of Commerce Honors NYRA

As NYRA's Director of Community Relations, I was proud to receive the Citizen of the Year award at the 2010 Pineapple Ball where I was presented by Charles E. Hayward, NYRA's President and CEO. I am honored to serve as NYRA's representative to the community and to work in an industry that I truly love! My thanks to all of my colleagues at NYRA and my friends in the local communities surrounding Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course for their support.

NYRA was proud to welcome the Locust Grove Civic Association to Aqueduct Racetrack

The Locust Grove Civic Association joined us for another Day at the Races. They join us every year for lunch and an exciting afternoon of thoroughbred racing at the Big A and NYRA was proud to welcome them back this year!

NYRA Hosts Jamaica Day at the Big A

On Saturday, April 10, NYRA hosted Jamaica Day at Aqueduct Race Track. The community enjoyed an exciting afternoon of thoroughbred racing in addition to live music by the JAM-X Reggae/Steel Drum Band. Our fans feasted on a Taste of Islands and sampled delicious food from the Carribean!

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo Hosts Job Fair at Aqueduct Racetrack

On April 9, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo hosted a Job Fair at Aqueduct Racetrack from 10am - 4pm. Over 2800 people attended the fair which boasted over 100 vendors. NYRA named the first for the Senator and we were thrilled that he chose Aqueduct Racetrack as the venue!

NYRA Donates to Horse Rescue and Retirement In Recognition of Cool N Collective's Retirement

NYRA organized a retirement ceremony on Wood Memorial Day for Cool N Collective, a 13 year old gelding who ran 81 times in his career. Cool N Collective (owned by Michael Repole of Repole Stable, NYRA's leading owner) will be retiring to Old Friends near Saratoga. NYRA donated $10,000 to Old Friends, $2500 to the Exceller Fund and $2500 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Michael Repole matched these funds to each organization for a total distribution of $15,000 from NYRA and $15,000 from Repole Stable. The check presentation in the winner's circle (following Cool N Collective's retirement parade on track) included NYRA President and CEO, Charles Hayward, the entire Repole clan, Michael Blowen from Old Friends, Diana Pikulski from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Joel Einhorn representing the Exceller Fund.

NYRA Salutes Queens Community Leaders on Wood Memorial Day

NYRA was pleased to acknowledge the work of local community leaders at Aqueduct Race Track on Saturday, April 3rd which featured the 86th running of the Wood Memorial. Senator Joseph Addabbo presented the trophy for the 5th race and he was joined in the winner's circle by Abdul Hakim of Senator Craig Johnson's office, as well as John Sabini, Chairman of the NYS Racing and Wagering Board, and Charles Diamond, NYS Racing and Wagering Board Member.