NYRA hosts the RACE FOR EDUCATION at Saratoga Race Course

NYRA was pleased to host the RACE FOR EDUCATION at Saratoga Race Course on July 30th. In addition to using the Community Outreach Booth to provide information about their organization and collect donations, they presented their Annual Scholarship check during the trophy presentation for the Fleet Indian Stakes.

The Fleet Indian Scholarship was established in honor of Fleet Indian, winner of the Personal Ensign and the 2006 Eclipse Award, and presented to a New York student wishing to pursue a career in the Thoroughbred industry. This scholarship is personally funded by Paul Saylor.

Mr. Saylor along with Elisabeth Jensen, Executive Director of the Race For Education, were proud to present a check for $10,000 to Samantha Wheeler, the 2010 Fleet Indian Stakes Scholarship winner.

Coaching Club American Oaks Debut in Saratoga is Showcased in Style

Beautiful coaches from the 19th century adorned the entrances of Saratoga Race Course to celebrate the debut of the Coaching Club American Oaks race to this historic track this year!

NYRA opens the 142nd race meet at Saratoga Race Course

NYRA opened the 142nd race meet at Saratoga Race Course on July 23rd with the new arrival of restauranteur Danny Meyer's Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and The Paddock Bar. Located next to the paddock, this exciting new addition will allow our fans to enjoy fine fare in a beautiful setting until 9pm.
Opening weekend will feature the Saratoga debut of the Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24th and NYRA will showcase this day with a display of antique coaches from the late 19th century.
NYRA is proud to offer the Community Outreach Booth for the race season. Organizations from the surrounding communities will have an opportunity to showcase their mission and collect donations on track. In addition, NYRA is proud to support our local organizations through the donation of our Community Outreach Box which has assisted in raising thousands of dollars for charity. For information about the Booth or Box, all interested parties may contact me at 518-584-6200, extension 4805.

"Kiaran's Kids" Enjoy Summer Outing at Belmont Park

Thursday was a great afternoon for a group of elementary school students from Elmont, starting with a behind-the-scenes backstretch tour of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn and finishing with a winner’s circle celebration at Belmont Park.

McLaughlin, who has hosted small groups of sixth-graders as part of an after-school program with Gateway Youth Outreach since last fall, received an expanded audience Thursday as 29 children in grades 4-6 assembled at his barn for a horseshoeing demonstration from farrier Liam Goodwin and an equine anatomy lesson and x-ray demonstration from veterinarian Kristian Rhein, DVM, CVA.

Artie Magnuson, McLaughlin’s assistant trainer, and office manager Cate Masterson toured the kids through the barn area and shared details about the thoroughbreds’ daily routine, feeding, and care.

"The program was great today and we have Kiaran, Artie and Cate to thank,” said Patrick Boyle, executive director of Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. “It’s a relationship that we look forward to keeping up throughout the year. These kids listened very attentively to everything that they heard today and got a great lesson."

Gateway Youth Outreach supports the youth of Belmont Park’s neighboring community of Elmont, with a number of programs and services including counseling, education and recreation. Thursday’s program at Belmont Park was sponsored by Capital One, and three Capital One Community Corps volunteers also attended.

After their morning on the backstretch, the group returned to the front side for lunch at Belmont Park, then assembled in the winner’s circle to cheer the McLaughlin-trained Hatheer as she opened up in the stretch to win a first-level allowance race on the Widener Turf Course.

“It’s a lot of fun,” McLaughlin said. “Cate and Artie take a lot of time with the kids and it’s nice to see them get into the horse racing scene a little bit and see what goes on behind the fences here. We enjoy it as much as they do.”

Both McLaughlin and The New York Racing Association, Inc., were presented with honors from Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray late last year for their efforts in arranging the weekly educational sessions. Two more student groups from Gateway Youth Outreach are expected to attend similar sessions with McLaughlin planned for July 22 and 29 at Belmont Park.

Jockey Autograph Session at Belmont Park Raises $1000 For Barbaro Fund

On Saturday, June 26th, a jockey autograph session hosted by Pfizer Animal Health at Belmont Park raised $1000 to be shared equally by the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Jockeys who participated in the autograph session included Barbaro's regular rider Edgar Prado, John Velasquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Luzzi.

Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery, George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, accepted a check for $37,276 which reflected the final disbursement from the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund.

"Barbaro's legacy was on full display on Saturday, raising money for two outstanding causes," said Barkley Porter, VP of Sales and Business Development for the NTRA. We sincerely thank Pfizer Animal Health and Belmont Park for their invaluable assistance in making the day possible."