Thursday, April 22, 2010
Contact: Jenny Kellner
(718) 659-2351
$1 MILLION
ELMONT, N.Y. – When the historic iron gates swing open for Belmont Park’s 2010 spring/summer meet on Friday, April 30, the finish line for the Triple Crown will be awaiting its next champion.
It will have been 32 years since Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the lengthiest drought in the history of racing’s most coveted and elusive prize, although not for lack of contenders. Seven times in the past 13 years, the Derby and Preakness winner has entered the starting gate for the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes, the oldest and longest race in the series, only to come up short. Big Brown, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, War Emblem, Charismatic, Real Quiet and Silver Charm all stood on the verge of racing immortality, only to be denied, one after another.
Tens of thousands of racing fans will again pack
Last year, 52,186 fans cheered as Summer Bird kicked off his Eclipse Award-winning season in the Belmont Stakes with a rousing victory over
Other Grade 1 races during the meet, which runs through Sunday, July 18, include the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap on the turf, the Just a Game for fillies and mares on the turf, the Acorn for 3-year-old fillies, and the Belmont Stakes, all on June 5; the Odgen Phipps Handicap for fillies and mares (June 12); the Mother Goose for 3-year-old fillies (June 26); the Prioress for 3-year-old filly sprinters (July 4); and the Man o’War on the turf (July 10).
On Saturdays, NYRA will offer a $300,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on the final four races of the day. The Late Pick 4 is a $1 minimum wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of the last four races on the card, usually beginning with race 7. By guaranteeing the wager for $300,000, NYRA will supplement the difference if the total wagering pool for the Saturday Late Pick 4 is less than $300,000.
Fans who want to earn rebates on their wagers can sign up for NYRA Rewards, the wagering program that offers cash back just for wagering on the races, whether it’s on NYRA races or simulcast events like the Derby and Oaks! Members can earn points through on-track self-service wagering terminals, phone wagering with Telebet, with NYRA Rewards Internet Wagering and on mobile devices such as Blackberrys or iPhones. Enrollment is free and available only to customers 18 years and older. To sign up or for more information, visit nyra.com, call 1-800-THE-NYRA, or stop by a customer service booth on-track.
In addition to all the great racing, family activities abound throughout the meet, including the popular “Breakfast at Belmont” program weekend mornings from 7 – 9:30 a.m. (excluding Belmont Stakes weekend), Family Fun Days on Sundays, presented by Coca Cola, and the “World of Horses” on Sunday, May 30.
“Party at the Park” returns on Friday, June 18, with a special first race post time of 3 p.m. and a party that includes food and drink specials along with a great live concert from the Big Shot Tribute Band (the ultimate Billy Joel experience) beginning in the Festival Tent at the conclusion of live racing.
Except for “Party at the Park,” first race post time is 1 p.m. Live racing is conducted Wednesday through Sunday, with
With the exception of Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 5, general parking is free.
OPENING WEEKEND
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 30-MAY 2
Five exciting live stakes races plus watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, Friday, April 30, and Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 1.
WORLD OF HORSES
SUNDAY, MAY 30
The World of Horses, in association with the Northeast Equine Expo, returns to
SATURDAY, MAY 29 – FRIDAY, JUNE 4
NYRA is proud to be a part of the
SATURDAY, JUNE 5
In addition to the crown jewel of New York racing, the biggest day in New York racing also features the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap, the Grade 1 Acorn, the Grade 1 Just a Game, the Grade 2 Woody Stephens and the Grade 2 True North, all comprising a $1 million Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 4 and a $1 million Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 6. Fans will be able to sign up to win a Belmont Stakes Prize Package at www.belmontstakes.com, the ultimate source for Belmont Stakes news, information, resources, and history.
PARTY AT THE PARK
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
The biggest party on
SUNDAY, JULY 4
FAMILY FUN DAYS ON SUNDAYS
PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA
Every Sunday,
SATURDAY, JUNE 26 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 27
The annual Belmont Park Handicapping contest offers the first three finishers entry to the NTRA/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship scheduled for next January in
BREAKFAST AT
The Breakfast at
The Breakfast at
Breakfast is optional and available for a nominal cost.
2010 BELMONT SPRING/SUMMER (59 days)
Friday, April 30 – Sunday, July 18
QUICK FACTS
SCHEDULE: Thoroughbred horse racing is conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, with two exceptions;
ADMISSION: Grandstand Admission, $3; Clubhouse, $5. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. (
PARKING: General Parking, FREE; Preferred, $2; Valet, $5. (
SWITCHBOARD: (516) 488-6000.
NYRA.com: Log on to this site to get updated information on all three New York Racing Association tracks:
NYRA STORE ONLINE: Delivery is easy and the prices affordable as the NYRA Store expands the menu to include all the NYRA gear you need. Go to www.nyra.com and click on the NYRA Store link.
NYRA REWARDS: Get paid to play with NYRA Rewards, the wagering program offers cash back just for wagering on the races, whether it’s on NYRA races or simulcast events! Members can earn points through on-track self-service wagering terminals, phone wagering with Telebet, with NYRA REWARDS Internet Wagering and on mobile devices such as Blackberrys or iPhones. Enrollment is free and available only to customers 18 years and older. To sign up or for more information, visit nyra.com, call 1-800-THE-NYRA, or stop by a customer service booth on-track.
DINING: Garden Terrace Restaurant ($3.50 Seating Charge, $10 minimum), fourth floor clubhouse. Belmont Café (Casual Dining), first floor clubhouse, $5 seating charge per table for a TV table. Call (888) 516-6972 for reservations.
Food Court – located on third floor (clubhouse and grandstand accessible).
The Top of the Stretch trackside picnic facilities feature umbrella-shaded tables, charcoal grills, views of the stretch and the opportunity to cater your own party at
Additional concession stands are located throughout the track.
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL EVENTS: Accommodations for 20 to 500. The Marquee Tent, located adjacent to the Paddock, is the ultimate place to entertain larger groups of clients or associates. Other private areas are also available. Visit www.nyragroupsales.com or call (888) 516-6972.
ATTIRE: Elegant attire has long been a tradition at
Box Seats: Gentlemen: Suits or sports jackets (tie optional). Ladies: Dresses, skirts or slack outfits. Absolutely no shorts or jeans.
Garden Terrace Restaurant – Elegant attire is recommended (suits or sports jackets for gentlemen, dresses, skirts or slack outfits for ladies); business casual is acceptable (collared shirts for gentleman). No shorts or abbreviated wear permitted. Management reserves the right to use its discretion to determine acceptable attire.
Clubhouse: Proper attire at discretion of management. No abbreviated attire. Gentlemen may not wear tank tops.
HOW TO GET TO BELMONT PARK
By Car From
From Brooklyn: Belt Parkway, East to Cross Island Parkway, North to Exit 26D, or Brooklyn – Queens Expressway to Long Island Expressway, East to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D.
From Queens: Grand Central Parkway, East to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D, or Belt Parkway, East to Cross Island Parkway, North to Exit 26D.
From Staten Island: Verrazano Bridge to Belt Parkway, East to Cross Island Parkway, North to Exit 26D.
From Long Island: Northern State Parkway or Long Island Expressway West to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D, or Southern State Parkway, West to Cross Island Parkway, North to Exit 26D.
From
From Connecticut & Westchester: Any route to
By Subway: Take the F Train to
By Bus: N6 (MTA Long Island Bus) – Operates along
Q110 (MTA Bus) – Service provided every 20 minutes to and from Belmont during racing days, available at Parsons Blvd. and Hillside Ave. and from Parsons Blvd. & Archer Ave., and various locations eastbound on Jamaica Ave and Hempstead Ave in Queens. The bus picks up and discharges inside
Q2 (MTA bus) – Originates at Jamaica Bus Terminal (165th Street and 89th Ave) and runs along Hillside Ave to 187th Place to Hollis Ave. and ends at Hempstead Ave. and 225th St. adjacent to Belmont Park. The bus picks up and discharges inside
RAILROAD: Passengers can board the LIRR to the
| 2010 Belmont Park Spring/Summer Stakes Schedule | | | | | |
| DATE | RACE | GRADE | 2010 PURSE | AGE | DISTANCE |
| Fri., Apr. 30 | | III | 100,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Sat., May. 1 | Beaugay | III | 100000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Sat., May. 1 | | III | 100000 | 3 & UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Sun., May. 2 | NY Stallion Stakes - | | 100,000 | F 3YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sun., May. 2 | NY Stallion Stakes - Times Sq Division | | 100,000 | 3YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sat., May 8 | Dwyer | II | 200,000 | 3YO | 1 1/8 |
| Sat., May 15 | Shuvee (Hdcp.) | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Sat., May 22 | | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 3/8 (Turf) |
| Sun., May 23 | NY Stallion Stakes - Cupecoy's Joy Div | | 75,000 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs (Turf) |
| Sun., May 23 | NY Stallion Stakes - Spectacular Bid Div | | 75,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs (Turf) |
| Sat., May 29 | Vagrancy Breeders' Cup (Hdcp.) | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sun., May 30 | | | 100,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Sun., May 30 | Mount | | 100,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Mon., May 31 | Metropolitan Handicap | I | 500,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Mon., May 31 | Sands Point | II | 150,000 | F3YO | 1 1/8 (Turf) |
| Fri., June 4 | Hill Prince | III | 100,000 | 3YO | 1 Mile (Turf) |
| Fri., June 4 | | II | 200,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/2 |
| Sat., June 5 | | I | 1,000,000 | 3YO | 1 1/2 |
| Sat., June 5 | Woodford Reserve | I | 400,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/4 (Turf) |
| Sat., June 5 | True North (Hdcp.) | II | 250,000 | 3&UP | 6 Furlongs |
| Sat., June 5 | Woody Stephens | II | 250,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sat., June 5 | Just A Game | I | 400,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 Mile (Turf) |
| Sat., June 5 | Acorn | I | 300,000 | F3YO | 1 Mile |
| Sat., June 12 | | I | 250,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 |
| Sat., June 19 | | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/4 (Turf) |
| Sun., June 20 | Bouwerie (NYB) | | 100,000 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sun., June 20 | Mike Lee (NYB) | | 100,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sat., June 26 | Mother Goose | I | 250,000 | F3YO | 1 1/16 |
| Sat., July 3 | Suburban (Hdcp.) | II | 300,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/8 |
| Sun., July 4 | Prioress | I | 250,000 | F3YO | 6 Furlongs |
| Mon., July 5 | Bed o' Roses (Hdcp.) | III | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 7 Furlongs |
| Sat., July 10 | Man o' War Breeders' Cup | I | 600,000 | 3&UP | 1 3/8 (Turf) |
| Sat., July 17 | Jaipur Breeders' Cup | III | 200,000 | 3&UP | 6 Furlongs(T) |
-30-
