** Please see attached photo of Greg Nichols, Betfair Managing Director of Sporting Affairs, presenting the Betfair TVG “Best Turned Out” Horse Award to Biofuel’s groom, Melanie Minshull. **
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Contact: Jenny Kellner
vkellner@nyrainc.com
BETFAIR TVG “BEST TURNED OUT” HORSE AWARD TO BIOFUEL
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Betfair TVG “Best Turned Out” Horse Award for Saturday’s Grade 1 Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course was bestowed upon Brereton C. Jones’ Biofuel.
Greg Nichols, Betfair Managing Director of Sporting Affairs, selected Biofuel in the paddock from among the eight 3-year-old fillies who would go on to compete in the 94th running of the Coaching Club, in which Biofuel finished second behind favored Devil May Care.
“We want to ensure that the groom is recognized and give them their fleeting moment of fame,” said Nichols. “We race horses and know how hard the grooms work.”
Biofuel’s groom, Melanie Minshull, was presented with a certificate and a $100 gift card by Nichols in recognition of her skill and care in bringing out the best in her horse.
The ceremony took place in the Saratoga winner’s circle prior to the race, the middle jewel of the Betfair TVG Triple Tiara, which was created in partnership with The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).
The series, which began with the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Acorn at Belmont Park on June 5, concludes on August 21 at Saratoga with the 130th running of the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Alabama.
“It’s an honor to work with Biofuel,” said Minshull, 24, of Toronto. “I’ve loved having her in my care and it’s an honor for our whole team.”
TVG, the official TV and Interactive Wagering partner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and a subsidiary of Betfair Group Ltd, the premier e-gaming betting community, is among the most widely distributed horseracing networks in the world. TVG is the largest legal online gaming company in the US, accepting over $500 million in wagers in 2009. The company has demonstrated its commitment to the racing industry, its owners, tracks and fans through the sponsorship of several preeminent races including the TVG Breeders Cup Mile and the Betfair TVG Triple Tiara. TVG viewers in certain areas can wager interactively on races via telephone, the Internet, TVG Mobile or Interactive Television by establishing a wagering account online at www.tvg.com or by telephone at 1-888-PLAY-TVG.
Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.
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The award will be determined by a Shadwell representative in the paddock prior to the Shadwell Travers and presented in the winner’s circle before the race.
