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.