NYRA Welcomes Annual Race Against MS on June 20 - Celebrating 31 Years at Belmont Park

And they're off! You are invited for an afternoon of exciting thoroughbred racing on June 20th at Belmont Park for the 31st Annual Race Against MS. Hosted by NBC sportscaster, Bruce Beck, guests will enjoy cocktails, lunch and a fabulous live and silent auction to benefit the New York City - Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society. Glen J. Weiss of Vornado Realty Trust is the honoree of the day and you may register at www.msnyc.org.

NYRA salutes the MS Society and their long-time loyalty.

Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival Completes Belmont Stakes Week

The Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival completed the week-long festivities with a celebration for Palice Malice, winner of the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes! The NYRA starting gate was a huge hit with the children of the Village of Floral Park and the Equestrian Art Show, sponsored by NYRA and the Floral Park Art League, provided a wonderful opportunity for artists to express what the Belmont Stakes means to them. I was delighted to present the award to the winner of the Floral Park Art League's annual top prize. The well-attended afternoon was filled with family fun and wonderful music. NYRA was proud to sponsor this annual event with the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce.

NYRA Salutes Oklahoma and It's Horses on Belmont Stakes Day

NYRA was proud to welcome the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma Benevolent Fund and the American Red Cross on Belmont Stakes Day. We highlighted the work of both organizations and the help that they are providing to the horsemen and horses of Oklahoma following the devastation caused by the tornado. All funds raised on track were matched by NYRA.

NYRA Chief Financial Officer, Susanne Stover, and David O'Rourke, Vice President Corporate Development, welcomed John Miller, CEO, American Red Cross on Long Island, and Danielle Barber, Executive Director, Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma.

Garden City Belmont Stakes Festival Postponed Until June 28

The Garden City Belmont Stakes Festival was postponed due to weather. Stay tuned for additional information regarding their new date of June 28.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown Win at the Elmont Film Festival

The Elmont Film Festival hosted a screening of Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's Jockey at their annual Film Festival held at the Elmont Library's Broadhurst Theatre. The community was delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown win by highlighting this important film.

Between the Horse's Ears - A Jockeys View

NYRA Racing Analyst and Retired Jockey, Richard Migliore, provided insight into the life of jockey through a presentation to the East End Civic Association of Elmont. The event was open to the public and guests had an opportunity to ask him questions and share their memories of Belmont Park with him.
Joining Richard Migliore were NYRA executives: Eric Wing, Director of  Communications and Media Relations, Rodnell Workman, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and Elizabeth Bracken, Vice President of Simulcasting.

NYRA Hosts 2nd Annual Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer

On Sunday evening, June 2nd, 500 runners participated in the 5K Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer. NYRA, the Integrated Medical Foundation, and the Greater Long Island Running Club, organized another successful run which raised over $100,000 for prostate cancer research.

Hall of Fame jockey, John Velasquez served as the Grand Marshall along with Sam the Bugler who played the Call to Post and music from Chariots of Fire which put the runners in their stride! John Velasquez was delighted to attend along with his children to cheer on his wife, Leona, who ran in the race.

NYRA Senior Vice President, Patrick Mahony, joined Rhonda Samuel, Executive Director of the Integrated Medical Foundation, and Michael Polansky, President, Greater Long Island Running Club.

The race route took the runners and walkers around the perimeter of the track. As they approached the last quarter mile of the race, they entered the dirt track at the far turn to end the race at the historic Belmont Park FINISH LINE one week prior to the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes!

Congratulations to the NYRA team! The following NYRA staff received awards for their age categories:

Facilities Manager, Peter Mistretta, 3rd place; Group Sales Supervisor, Nicholas Pipia, 2nd place, and Marketing Assistant, Brett Tessler, 2nd place!!!

NYRA Celebrates the 2013 Belmont Stakes Parade in Elmont

The 5th Annual Belmont Stakes parade was once again a huge success thanks to the hard work of the Elmont community. The Elmont schools, civic associations, and local organizations marched in the parade alongside state and local officials as well as NYRA executives, David O'Rourke, Vice President Corporate Development, and Rodnell Workman, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. The NYRA starting gate, adorned with the Belmont Stakes banner, kicked-off the parade along with Sam the Bugler and the NYRA tram.The Cradle of Aviation Museum,and Soaring Sam and his plane, joined the parade along with the American Red Cross and the North Shore-LIJ Franklin Hospital.

Special thanks to parade organizer, Ralph Esposito, and Family Fun Day organizer, Pat Boyle, Executive Director of Gateway Youth Outreach!

Grand Marshall, Claudine Hall, was acknowleged for her life long work in the Elmont community.