Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival Rounds Out Belmont Stakes Week

This year, the Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival was held on Sunday, June 10th to round out Belmont Stakes week. This fabulous afternoon of family fun was attended by thousands of people. NYRA track announcer, Tom Durkin, NYRA racing analyst, Jason Blewitt, and jockey Ramon Dominguez (ALL three are Floral Park residents) attended the event. NYRA is proud sponsor of the Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival along with the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Floral Park. The Floral Park Art League's annual spring show of equine art is sponsored by NYRA. I was proud to present the first place winner, Emilio J. Allocco, with his award and we will be showcasing his fine work at Belmont Park.

NYRA Hosts Make-A-Wish Grantee, Emily Forge, on Belmont Stakes Day

Emily Forge (17) is a beautiful young woman whose interest is Thoroughbred racing. She owns her own yearlings which she plans to bring to auction. A native of Kansas, she traveled with her family to New York to attend the Belmont Stakes. Emily is battling Lupus, but she is very positive and focused on her future. In addition to attending the press party, she was given a private tour of the barns by Richard Migliore. Artie Magnusen of Kiaran McLaughlin Racing entertained the family at their barn during the morning routine. Emily wowed everyone she met with her knowledge and passion for the sport.
NYRA named the second race for Emily Forge as well as another Make-a-Wish grantee, Hope Hudson (12). Hope attended the Kentucky Derby and the connections to I'll Have Another sponsored her journey to the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

Garden City Belmont Stakes Festival

Each year, on the eve of the Belmont Stakes, the Garden City community hosts a Belmont Stakes street festival. Thousands of people attend the event which boasts live music, great food and family fun. This year, young children enjoyed pony rides and adults enjoyed a delicious Wing Off contest for best chicken wings, to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, Miss Gotham City stopped by to say hello! NYRA is proud to serve as a sponsor (along with the Garden City Hotel and the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group)for this fabulous event each year. A wonderful display of posters designed by children were seen in stores throughout the Village. The Win, Place and Show recipients will have their work showcased at Belmont Park.

The Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration held at the Rubin Museum, NYC

NYRA was proud to serve as a sponsor for the annual Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration to benefit the Jockey Club Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Services Team. This year's event was held at the Rubin Museum on Art in New York City. It was a beautiful event which raised much needed funds for both organizations. This is a must GO TO event every year!

Hat and Author Luncheon to Benefit the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America

One of the highlights of Belmont Stakes week was the Hat and Author Luncheon to benefit the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America. Ladies in beautiful hats enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the Woodlands and raised significant funds for this very worthwhile charity. I was proud to receive the Best in Show Award for my hat. After all, we ALL know that women in beautiful hats are a Thoroughbred racing tradition!!

Jockeys Visit Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

John Velasquez led the team of jockeys on their annual visit to Ronald McDonald House of Long Island on June 7th. Each year, the jockeys stop by two days before the Belmont Stakes bringing joy to the children who ride on ponies led by the jockeys around the grounds of the magnificient Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.This year, Johnny was joined by Mario Gutierrez, Julien Leparoux, Maylan Studart, Jose Ortiz, and Irad Ortiz. The jockeys presented the children with goggles which were autographed by all of our athletes. Many thanks to everyone for their participation!

PRIDE - Celebrating the Art of the Backstretch Workers of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Race Track

NYRA is proud to recognize Hofstra University for hosting an art exhibition and reception: PRIDE -
Celebrating the Art of the Backstretch Workers of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Race Track and the Backstretch Employee Services Team ("B.E.S.T.") for providing assistance and coordination of the materials for the artists.The exhibit opened on Wednesday, June 6th and will run through the end of July. You may veiw the incredible work of our backstretch workers at the Lowenfeld Gallery and Exhibition Hall, Axinn Library, 10th Floor, South Campus of Hofstra University. The exhibiton is magnificient and it showcases the incredible talent and passion of the people who care for the horses. NYRA thanks Hofstra for making this one of the key events to attend during Belmont Stakes week!

Belmont Stakes Week Kick-Off Raises Funds For The Little Baby Face Foundation

NYRA and The Garden City Hotel were proud to kick-off Belmont Stakes week at the hotel with a reception to benefit The Little Baby Face Foundation. Lauralouise Duffy Blatt, founder of the Little Baby Face Foundation, shared some incredible stories about the lives of children who are changed by the incredible surgeries that the Foundation underwrites. For more information about the Little Baby Face Foundation, go to http://www.littlebabyface.org/.

NYRA Hosts Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer

NYRA was thrilled to team up with the Greater Long Island Runners Club and the Integrated Medical Foundation for the inaugural Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer. Close to 1000 runners registered for the 5K run which looped around the perimeter of the race track. The last quarter mile was run on Belmont Park's dirt track and ended at the historic finish line one week before the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes! We invite everyone to join us again next year as we work together to win the race against prostate cancer.

NYRA Kicks-Off Belmont Stakes Week with Elmont's 2012 Belmont Stakes Parade

The Elmont 2012 Belmont Stakes parade was huge success thanks to the participation of the community's talented youth and local civic organizations. The Elmont Chamber of Commerce and NYRA sponsored the event with local support from the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. The community enjoyed the Gateway Youth Outreach Family Field Day and the Franklin Square - Elmont Rotary Crafts Fair immediately following the parade.
NYRA provided its tram, the starting gate and legendary Sam the Bugler to bring Belmont Stakes excitement to its viewers. Sam played a Triple Crown rendition which wowed the crowd during the parade ceremony.
We were proud to welcome Acacia Courtney, Miss Gotham City, who joined in the festivities. She is in a quest for the Miss New York title in a few weeks!