Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer

The 4th annual Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer was held on Sunday, June 1st at Belmont Park. Organized by NYRA, Integrated Medical Foundation, and the Greater Long Island Runners Club, this annual event is attended by over 700 runners and raises $100,000 for prostate cancer research.

2014 Belmont Stakes Parade in Elmont

The Elmont community worked with NYRA to coordinate the 5th Annual Belmont Stakes parade along Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont on Saturday, May 31st. Over 700 parade participants were joined by New York State and Local officials for this annual community event. All of the parade participants joined us for a post parade ceremony in the Marquee Tent and received hot dogs and soda courtesy of NYRA's caterer, Centerplate!

Annual Jockey Visit to Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

Jockeys kick-off Belmont Stakes Festival Week with an annual visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island! The children received autographed goggles and they rode ponies which were lead by the jockeys.

Belmont Park Community Leaders Join NYRA for the Belmont Park Opening Day Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in the Paddock

NYRA was proud to host the Belmont Park community leaders for the opening day ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 1st.

I was proud to cut the ribbon to officially open the 2014 Belmont Park meet.

NYRA Hosts the American Red Cross Blood Drive at Aqueduct Racetrack

NYRA was proud to welcome John Miller, CEO American Red Cross of Long Island, to Aqueduct Racetrack. NYRA hosted the annual blood drive which is supported by NYRA employees and Aqueduct Racetrack neighbors. NYRA Vice President, Dave O'Rouke, joined Mr. Miller and American Red Cross volunteers for a trophy presentation following the 1st race on Friday, March 28.

GO RED FOR WOMEN at the Big A

NYRA was proud to support the American Heart Association's GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign. We thank our fans and employees for donating funds to support programs for women which focus on heart disease prevention. NYRA named the 1st race on February 21st and our employees joined in the campaign by wearing RED.

Jockeys Join the 2014 MDA Muscle Team

On January 7th, Maylan Studart and Mike Luzzi joined the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2014 Annual Muscle Team to raise funds for research. NYRA was proud to stand behind our jockeys to support this annual event. Our jockeys joined many other professional athletes who take time out of their busy schedules every year to acknowledge the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the children they represent.

Spirit of Giving Weekend at the Big A

NYRA was proud to host Spirit of Giving Weekend at the Big A on December 7th and 8th! NYRA Vice President of Development, David O'Rourke, welcomed back Major Chuck Kilbride, U.S. Marines (ret.), and the U. S. Marine Corps cadets as they returned to Aqueduct for their annual Toys for Tots campaign. Joining them were Nassau County Executive, Ed Mangano, Chairman of the 2013 Toys for Tots campaign, and Acacia Courtney, Miss New York City.

Thoroughbred owner, Harold Lerner, contributed $10,000 to the Toys for Tots program which collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys for children in need during the holiday season. NYRA and NYTHA are making annual financial contributions and trainer, Gary Contessa, will donated 100% of his earnings on Sunday, December 8th.

NYRA thanks ALL of our fans who contributed to the 2013 Toys for Tots campaign!

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center was once again the beneficiary of the proceeds of our Stocking Stuffer sale of NYRA giveaways.

NYRA's Float Supports the 50th Annual Hispanic Day Parade!

The New York Racing Association, Inc. was proud to support the 50th Annual Hispanic Day Parade in NYC on Sunday, October 13th. Participants included Eclipse winning retired jockey, Ramon Dominquez, and representatives of the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Racetrack Chaplaincy, and the Belmont Child Care Association. Rodnell Workman, NYRA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Brett Tessler, NYRA Marketing Assistant, and NYRA's mascot, Auggie the horse, were pleased to be along for the ride!

Fabulous Fillies Day at Belmont Park

Fan entered the Clubhouse on Saturday, October 5th and walked the pink carpet to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The NYRA flag turned pink for the day, the Secretariat statue was adorned with a pink blanket, and the grooms wore pink jackets.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. was proud to welcome women from the fashion industry to the first ever Little Black Dress Luncheon.
Belmont Park featured a PINKOUT in the paddock where our fans received perfume chocolates as thank you for wearing pink. Funds were collected for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and NYRA was proud to welcome the Adelphi University Breast Cancer Hotline Program and the Maurer Foundation to our venue this year!
Miss New York City, Acacia Courtney, joined us for a fun-filled afternoon.
Perks for Wearing Pink included a trophy presentation for the best turned out Fabulous Filly and Fellow as well as two VIP tickets to the 2014 Belmont Stakes.

Garden City Goes to the Races!

The Garden City Chamber of Commerce Foundation celebrated the running of the Garden City Stakes on Saturday, September 14th at Belmont Park. Garden City Mayor, John Watras, presented the trophy for the Grade 1, Garden City, and members of the Foundation enjoyed a luncheon in the Belmont Room and presented the trophy for several races while raising significant funds.

Fabulous Fillies Day 2013 - Saratoga Race Course - Honors Marylou Whitney

The 3rd Annual Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Race Course was a smashing success raising $100,000 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund important research while also raising awareness for the cause!

The Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, presented by Escada, honored Marylou Whitney and featured guest speaker, Dr. Larry Norton.

The Official Saratoga 150 Celebration on August 3, 2013

NYRA was proud to host the official Saratoga 150 Celebration on Saturday, August 3rd, Whitney Day! NYRA CEO and President, Chris Kay, was joined by NYRA Board Members: Charles Wait, Chairman of the Saratoga 150 Committee, and John Hendrickson, Honorary Chairman of the Saratoga 150 Committee.

United States Congressman, Paul Tonko, presented NYRA with the Saratoga 150 proclamation which was read into the record on the floor of the United States House of Representatives commemorating 150 years of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course.

The Preservation League of New York State presented NYRA with a plaque as NYRA recognized them on their 40th Anniversary.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the Saratoga Preservation Foundation, and Yaddo were among the community organizations recognized for their long-standing history with the track on this special occasion.

Fans sang "Happy Birthday, Saratoga" as the Cake Boss presented a Saratoga Race Course to mark the occasion.

NYRA was proud to have Marylou Whitney join in the celebration on the day which also highlighted The Whitney Stakes.

Saratoga Race Course Celebrates 150 Years of Thoroughbred Racing

On July 19th, Opening Day, NYRA kicked-off the official Saratoga 150 Celebration at Saratoga Race Course! NYRA President and CEO, Chris Kay, raised the Saratoga 150 flag with NYRA Board member and Chairman of the Saratoga 150 Committee,Charles Wait.

Before the first race, Chris Kay and Charles Wait were joined by NYRA Board Member, John Hendrickson, Honorary Chairman of the Saratoga 150 Committee, for the official ribbon-cutting to open the 2013 Saratoga race meet and receive the time capsule.

Join Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney commissioned the Saratoga 150 painted horse by Robert Clark which is on display near The Post at Saratoga Race Course for the duration of the meet.

Saratoga 150 Time Capsule Send-Off at Belmont Park

The Saratoga 150 time capsule began its journey from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course in style as it received items commemorating the 40th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown win!
The time capsule will make stops in Albany where it will receive a proclamation from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo marking the 150th Anniversary of Saratoga Race Course. The time capsule will continue its journey to Union College in Schenectady, the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, the Saratoga Battlefield in the National Historic Park, and Ulysses S. Grant's Cottage.
You can view the route of the time capsule on NYRA.com and ALL fans are welcome to stop by to see the time capsule in the Guest Services Building at Saratoga Race Course throughout the meet.
Please contact me to make arrangements for any object you may wish to provide to the time capsule before the end of the race meet. The time capsule will be buried at Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA Welcomes Community to Saratoga 150 Open House and Concert

On July 14th, NYRA opened the gates to Saratoga Race Course for the 33rd Annual Open House. Community organizations are welcome each year to provide information about their missions to thousands who flock to the track each year one week before the official opening of the race meet.
This year, in conjunction with the celebration of 150 years of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA was proud to offer the community a FREE concert with Disney Channel star, Zendaya! Over 22,000 patrons attended this family fun-filled afternoon.

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.