New York Racing Association

Belmont Park Notes
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

I'll Have Another Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another was a “very happy horse” Tuesday morning as he continued to settle nicely into his new digs at Belmont Park, where on June 9 he will attempt to become the 12th horse to add the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. ... more

Governor Cuomo, Legislative Leaders, and NYRA Announce Agreement to Establish NYRA Reorganization Board to Transform NYRA
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Contact: NYRA Press Office

Public Control for 3 Year Period to Improve Horse Racing in New York State. New Board to Conduct National Search for Executive Leadership. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) today announced an agreement to establish the NYRA Reorganization Board that will place NYRA under temporary public control ... more

Forbes' Firsters for Thursday, May 24
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Forbes’ Firsters is a series that takes a glance at the pedigrees and sales histories of select 2-year-olds who are making their debuts in maiden special weight races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, or Saratoga Race Course ... more

I'll Have Another Content at Belmont, Could Soon Resume Training
Monday, May 21, 2012
By Jon Forbes

I'll Have Another Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another was reported to be doing well the morning after he arrived at Belmont Park by van and will soon begin training on the Belmont main track, according to Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill ... more

NYRA Offers Belmont Stakes Prize Package at BelmontStakes.com
Monday, May 21, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Racing fans can visit BelmontStakes.com to enter a free drawing for a prize package for two that includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and premium tickets to watch I’ll Have Another attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner when he competes in the June 9 Belmont Stakes ... more

Belmont Park Notes
Sunday, May 20, 2012
By NYRA Press office

I'll Have Another I’ll Have Another, who on June 9 will attempt to become the 12th horse to sweep the Triple Crown when he competes in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, arrived in barn 9 at Belmont Park at 2:53 p.m. Sunday after vanning north from Pimlico Race Course in Maryland... more

Belmont Stakes Tickets Available at Belmont Park & Aqueduct & Through Ticketmaster
Saturday, May 19, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

With I’ll Have Another set to pursue a sweep of the Triple Crown following his victory in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, tickets to the 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 9 are certain to be a hot commodity. As a result, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has changed its Belmont Stakes ticket-selling policies ... more

NYRA Statement on I’ll Have Another’s 2012 Triple Crown Bid
Saturday, May 19, 2012
By: Dan Silver

Congratulations to I’ll Have Another, J. Paul Reddam, and everyone on Team O’Neill!” said C. Steven Duncker, Chairman of NYRA’s Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome the Derby and Preakness hero to New York for the Belmont Stakes on June 9. I’ll Have Another will attempt to make history as the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 ... more

Saginaw Stays Hot With Affirmed Success Victory
Saturday, May 19, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Saginaw Former claimer Saginaw extended his winning streak to five with a sharp score against New York-breds in the inaugural $100,000 Affirmed Success on Saturday at Belmont Park. Haltered for $30,000 in March by his current connections, Saginaw settled outside the flank of pacesetter Uncle T Seven through fractions of 22.92 and 45.00, claimed a narrow lead midway on the turn, and inexorably extended his advantage to find the wire 7 ½ lengths to the good of his rival ... more

Belmont Park Notes
Friday, May 18, 2012
By NYRA Press office

Thomas Albertrani Trainer Tom Albertrani will have two opportunities to win a graded stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Memorial Day, May 28 as he will likely run Zo Impressive in the Grade 1 Acorn and Better Lucky in the Grade 2 Sands Point. Zo Impressive will enter the Acorn off a second, beaten 6 ½ lengths, to Grace Hall in the Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks on March 31. The Live Oak Plantation homebred will be cutting back in distance for the Acorn, a one-mile race around a single turn... more

Garden City Welcomes Return Of Annual Belmont Festival
Friday, May 18, 2012
Contact: Mark Bardack; Joanne K. Adams; Dan Silver

Garden City is once again celebrating the final leg of the Triple Crown on Friday, June 8 – the eve of the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The Garden City Belmont Festival... more

Trickmeister Conjures Front-Running Vanlandingham Stakes Score Over Stay Thirsty
Thursday, May 17, 2012
By: Ashley Herriman

Trickmeister Trickmeister took the lead and never looked back Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park, defeating 2011 Travers winner Stay Thirsty in the $90,000 Vanlandingham overnight stakes. Away sharply under Ramon Dominguez, Trickmeister led... more

NYRA Statement – Wednesday, May 16
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Board of Directors exercised its business judgment as a private, not-for-profit corporation to appoint a President and Secretary. These appointments were made to stay in compliance with NYRA’s Bylaws, Article VII, Section 7.01... more

Sizzling Memorial Day Weekend On Tap At Belmont Park
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

With four great live bands, a straw beach mat giveaway, a special appearance by racing legends Steve Cauthen and Jorge Velasquez and world-class stakes racing, the biggest beach party on Long Island is set for Memorial Day weekend at Belmont Park. The festivities kick off on Saturday, May 26... more

New York-Bred Veterans Assemble For Affirmed Success
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Saginaw Last-out stakes winners Saginaw, Law Enforcement, and Mine Over Matter will meet at Belmont Park on Saturday in the $100,000 Affirmed Success, a seven-furlong dash for New York-breds. The 8-5 morning-line favorite is Saginaw... more

NYRA Statement – Tuesday, May 15
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has forwarded the letter received today from New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John Sabini and Franchise... more

NYRA Board Appoints President and Secretary
Monday, May 14, 2012
By: Dan Silver

C. Steven Duncker, chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. Board of Directors, today announced that Ellen McClain, Chief Operating Officer, has been named President. Kenneth Handal, Acting General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, has been named Secretary. These elections were made pursuant to Article VII of the Bylaws of The New York Racing Association, Inc. more

NYRA Hires Kenneth V. Handal as Acting General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Monday, May 14, 2012
By Dan Silver

Kenneth V. Handal The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has hired Kenneth V. Handal as acting general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer. Handal is an expert in corporate ethics and compliance, governance, and risk management, with almost 40 years of experience as an attorney. He most recently served as President – Governance, Risk and Compliance for Guidepost Solutions LLC, a global leader in investigations, compliance, monitoring and risk management solutions ... more

Preakness, Black-Eyed Susan Simulcast Available At Belmont And Aqueduct; Donovan To Host Preakness Preview Live Chat Friday
Sunday, May 13, 2012
By: Ashley Herriman

Live Triple Crown action returns to New York on June 9 with the 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes. On May 18 and 19, Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack are the best places to watch simulcast action from Pimlico Race Course, home of the second jewel of the Triple Crown, in addition to quality live racing in New York... more

Mark Valeski Grows Up In G2 Peter Pan
Saturday, May 12, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Mark Valeski After a pair of narrow defeats in Kentucky Derby prep races this spring at Fair Grounds Race Course, Mark Valeski earned his first graded stakes win Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park when he captured the 58th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, the local springboard to the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 9... more

Currency Swap Cashes In You And I
Saturday, May 12, 2012
By Dan Silver

Currency Swap With a measured victory in the $85,000, seven-furlong You and I stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, Currency Swap showed the form that marked his 2011 juvenile campaign, which included a win in the Grade 1 Three Chimneys Hopeful at Saratoga Race Course... more

GroupMe Belmont Stakes Featured Group Allows Fans To Stay Connected For Big Race
Saturday, May 12, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has launched a GroupMe featured group for the Belmont Stakes, allowing fans to stay connected through mobile devices and the web leading up to the final leg of the Triple Crown... more

BelmontStakes.Com Adds Social Media Modules For 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
By: Dan Silver

BelmontStakes.com has been freshened up by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) for the 2012 Triple Crown chase, including more social media integration than ever before. The website, named a finalist in the Best Website category... more

Belmont Park Notes
Friday, May 11, 2012
By NYRA Press office

Believe You Can Trainer Larry Jones, who on Saturday will saddle Mark Valeski, the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Belmont’s Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, revealed Friday that he will likely point Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can to Belmont Park’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes, run at 1 1/16-miles on June 23. “Time between sure doesn’t hurt her,” Jones said. “She’s already raced four times... more

Donegal Confirms Dullahan Will Run Next in Belmont
Friday, May 11, 2012
Contact: Jerry Crawford

Dullahan Jerry Crawford, managing partner of Donegal Racing, announced today that Dullahan, the two-time Grade I winner and third place finisher in this year’s Kentucky Derby, will race next in the Belmont Stakes on June 9... more

Belmont To Offer $350K Guaranteed Late Pick 4 On Saturdays
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Beginning May 12, Belmont Park will offer a $350,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on Saturdays. The Late Pick 4 requires bettors to select the winners of the final four races on the card... more

Belmont Handicapping Tournament Set for June 23-24
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

With $80,000 in prize money and a trip to the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship at stake, the 2012 Belmont Summer Handicapping Challenge is now accepting applicants for the June 23-24 tournament at Belmont Park. ... more

Belmont Park Notes
Sunday, May 6, 2012
By NYRA Press office

Mark Valeski Louisiana Derby runner-up Mark Valeski arrived at Belmont Park from Kentucky Sunday afternoon in advance of his next start, Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan. Trainer Larry Jones said the 3-year-old Proud Citizen colt would likely work Monday morning with regular jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard in preparation for the 1 1/8-mile race... more

Winter Memories Returns A Winner In Beaugay, Gives Jockey Castro 2,000th North American Victory
Saturday, May 5, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Winter Memories Winter Memories regained winning form in her 2012 debut, delivering a strong turn of foot after finding room at the top of the stretch to take the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay and give jockey Eddie Castro his 2,000th North American victory. With Castro aboard for the first time in her career... more

Boisterous Bounds To Victory In Fort Marcy
Saturday, May 5, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

Boisterous Boisterous made his return to New York a winning one, closing resolutely through the stretch and going onto a one-length victory over Desert Blanc in Saturday’s 36th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Fort Marcy at Belmont Park... more

Rosie Returns To Belmont Park After Historic Victory
Saturday, May 5, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

Rosie Napravnik After an eventful 24 hours, jockey Rosie Napravnik returned to Belmont Park Saturday afternoon with her first Grade 1 victory and a bit of racing history in tow. On Friday, the 24-year-old piloted Believe You Can to win the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, becoming the first female jockey to win the prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies... more

NYRA Board Of Directors Terminates The Employment Of Hayward And Kehoe
Friday, May 4, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The Board of Directors of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that it has decided to terminate the employment of NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward and NYRA Senior VP and General Counsel Patrick Kehoe... more

New York Stallion Stakes Featured Sunday At Belmont Park
Thursday, May 3, 2012
By: Ashley Herriman

Ramon Dominguez A pair of New York Stallion Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-olds will be co-featured Sunday afternoon at Belmont Park. The NYSS action kicks off in race 6, the $100,000 Park Avenue Division for fillies, and continues in race 9, the $100,000 Times Square Division. Both NYSS races will be contested at 6 ½ furlongs over the main track... more

NYRA Executive Committee Places Charles Hayward and Patrick Kehoe on Administrative Leave Pending Further Review
Monday, April 30, 2012
By: Dan Silver

C. Steven Duncker, Chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Board of Directors, has announced that the NYRA Executive Committee has placed NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward and NYRA Senior VP and General Counsel Patrick Kehoe on administrative leave without pay, pending further review ... more

Forbes Firsters Return For Belmont Spring/Summer Meet
Sunday, April 29, 2012
By: NYRA Press Office

Forbes’ Firsters, which profiles select 2-year-old first-time starters at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Racecourse, has returned for 2012, with the first installment taking a look at Wednesday’s second race at Belmont. Each profile contains the 2-year-old’s pedigree, noteworthy horses... more

Belmont Park Notes
Sunday, April 29, 2012
By NYRA Press office

To Honor and Serve To Honor and Serve returned from his Grade 3 Westchester victory in fine form and remains on target for the Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap on May 28, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Sunday morning. “He looked really good this morning,” said Mott of the Bernardini colt... more

Kentucky Derby, Oaks Simulcast Available At Belmont And Aqueduct; Serling To Host Derby Preview Web Chat Friday
Sunday, April 29, 2012
By: Ashley Herriman

New York racing fans in search of simulcast action from Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend should look no further than Aqueduct Racetrack and Belmont Park, the best places to watch and wager on Kentucky racing on May 4 and 5, in addition to live thoroughbred competition in New York. On Friday, May 4, Belmont and Aqueduct will offer wagering on the 12-race Kentucky Oaks Day card... more

To Honor and Serve Dominates In Westchester Win
Wednesday, April 28, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

To Honor and Serve To Honor and Serve picked up right where he left off in 2011, rolling to an easy 5 ¼-length victory over Boys At Tosconova in Saturday afternoon’s Grade 3, $150,000 Westchester at Belmont Park. Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in his first start since taking the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap... more

Alpha Set For KY Derby Following Belmont Breeze
Saturday, April 28, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Alpha With an eye on the first Saturday in May, Alpha worked over the Belmont Park training track Saturday morning, turning in a 59.54 five-furlong breeze with Rajiv Maragh aboard. Going in company with stablemate Steele Road, Alpha was caught by NYRA clockers... more

Belmont Park Sparkles On Opening Day
Friday, April 27, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

Irad Ortiz Jr. & Eddie Olczyck Brilliant performances, tight finishes, large fields and a celebrity visit – or two – highlighted opening day at Belmont Park, hinting at even bigger things to come over the course of the 56-day spring/summer meet. The day began with an impromptu late morning flyover by the decommissioned space shuttle... more

Belmont Park Notes
Thursday, April 26, 2012
By NYRA Press office

Winter Memories Last year’s Grade 1 Garden City winner Winter Memories was said to be “great” as she prepares for her 4-year-old bow in the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay on May 5 at Belmont Park. “I don’t know if you had a chance to look at her, close up, but she really filled out and developed over the winter,”... more

Across The Board Double-Digit Handle Increases During 2012 Aqueduct Winter/Spring Meet
Thursday, April 26, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) saw double-digit gains in on-track handle, total handle and NYRA Rewards account wagering during the recently concluded 2012 Aqueduct Racetrack winter/spring meet, which spanned 78 live racing days from January 1 through April 22. Total handle on Aqueduct’s races was $514 million, up 22.6 percent... more

LIRR’S ‘Belmont Special’ Is On Track For Spring Racing Season
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The MTA Long Island Rail Road’s “Belmont Special” is off and running to beautiful Belmont Park for the spring racing season. The LIRR is partnering with The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) again this year to provide regular train service for racing fans for the Belmont spring meet, starting Friday, April 27, and continuing through July 15. Through the partnership, NYRA subsidizes the cost of operating the LIRR Belmont service for racing fans... more

Racing Returns To Belmont Park On April 27; 144th Running Of Belmont Stakes Highlights 56-Day Meet
Thursday, April 19, 2012
By: Jenny Kellner

With premier thoroughbred racing, live bands, Family Fun Sundays, a trio of Party at the Park Fridays and much more, Belmont Park offers excitement and entertainment for everyone when the historic track opens for racing on Friday, April 27. The 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9... more

NYRA And NYTHA Partner TO Sponsor Thoroughbred Rewards Program ON New York Eventing Circuit
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Contact: Andy Belfiore; Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) are partnering to sponsor a program that will reward participants competing Thoroughbreds on the Eventing circuit in New York in 2012. Called Career2, the initiative will promote the retraining of retired Thoroughbred racehorses for second careers in Eventing, a sport best described as... more

NYRA Partners With Woodbine, Will Show Races Live On NYRA Network
Saturday, April 21, 2012
By: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) has announced a partnership with the Woodbine Entertainment Group to include the live broadcast of Woodbine’s races on The NYRA Network. NYRA and Woodbine have coordinated staggered post times and starting on April 28... more

New Jockeys, Trainers Flock To Belmont For Spring/Summer Meet
Saturday, April 21, 2012
By: Jon Forbes

Julien Leparoux Throughout the decades, Belmont Park has boasted a deep riding colony and has attracted many of the sport’s leading trainers. With daily purses expected to average $620,000, the competition will be tougher than ever during the meet that begins April 27 and concludes July 15. Trainer Dale Romans, who has never had more than 10 horses at Belmont in the spring... more

Help Wanted for Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 9
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Contact: Julie Levine

Saturday, June 9, is Belmont Stakes Day and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will be hiring betting clerks, whitecaps, ushers, parking and cleaning staff to make it the most exciting and enjoyable day of racing in New York. On Tuesday, April 24, Wednesday, April 25, and Thursday, April 26, NYRA will host job fairs at Aqueduct Racetrack from 2 – 6 p.m. in the Manhattan Terrace on the third floor of the Clubhouse. ... more

2012 Belmont Stakes Tickets Now Available
Thursday, March 22, 2012
By: Ashley Herriman

Tickets for the 2012 Belmont Stakes are now available for purchase via NYRA’s reserved seating department and online via Ticketmaster. The 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 9 with a live broadcast of the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion” scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Eastern on NBC... more

Belmont Park To Host Twelve Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races As Part Of 2012 Schedule
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Contact: Jim Gluckson' Jenna Browning; Dan Silver

The Breeders' Cup announced today that the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Challenge series will consist of 73 automatic qualifying races into the Breeders' Cup World Championships. This year’s series has been expanded to 10 countries and will feature 13 new races to the schedule including 52 Grade or Group 1 events. Breeders’ Cup will pay entry fees and provide \ travel allowances for the connections of the Challenge winners into the Championships... more

2012 Belmont Stakes Logo Unveiled
Saturday, March 17, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has unveiled the logo for the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes, the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion,” the longest and final leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds. The 2012 Belmont Stakes logo features a bold, graphic depiction of three racehorses running towards the viewer, about to overtake a chevron-encircled “Belmont Stakes..." more

Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration to Benefit Equine Research and NYRA Backstretch Community
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Contact: Bob Curran Jr.

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) and The Jockey Club announced today that the Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration, benefitting the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), will be held at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Founded in 2004 by Shelley and Donald Rubin, the Rubin Museum of Art is a dynamic environment that stimulates learning, promotes understanding, and inspires personal connections... more

NYRA Announces $100,000 Juvenile Graded Stakes Bonus For Maiden Graduates At Belmont Spring Meet
Thursday, March 1, 2012
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced a $100,000 bonus for any 2-year-old who breaks its maiden at the 2012 Belmont Park spring meet and goes on to win a graded stakes at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont, or Aqueduct Racetrack in 2012. The bonus, which can only be paid out once for each eligible horse during the course of the year, will be written into the conditions of all NYRA graded juvenile races and will therefore count towards the horse’s official graded earnings... more

NYRA Announces Belmont Spring And Saratoga Meet Stakes Schedules And Purse Structures
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has released the stakes schedules and purse structures for the 2012 Belmont Park spring and Saratoga Race Course meets. Stakes purses during the 56-day Belmont spring meet will increase approximately $1.9 million, or 26.6 percent, to $9.05 million in 2012, while stakes purses during the 40-day Saratoga meet... more

Plans In The Works For Inaugural Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5 Kilometer Run For Prostate Cancer
Thursday, February 3, 2012
Contact: Mike Polansky

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Long Island Running Club and Integrated Medical Foundation are joining forces to stage the inaugural Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5 Kilometer Run for Prostate Cancer. . The Run will be held on Sunday evening, June 3, 2012 at Belmont Park, with NYRA’s Sam Grossman “Sam the Bugler” calling everyone to the post at 7:15 PM... more

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