BELMONT PARK FALL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET ADVANCE

Monday, September 6, 2010

 

Contact: Jenny Kellner

 Vkellner@nyrainc.com

 

ROAD TO BREEDERS’ CUP  GLORY RUNS THROUGH BELMONT PARK

 

ELMONT, N.Y. – Offering 19 graded stakes in virtually every division, Belmont Park will be the proving grounds for Breeders’ Cup hopefuls when it opens for its 37-day Fall Championship Meet on Saturday, September 11.

 

General admission will be free on opening weekend, with a great lineup of races featuring Saturday’s Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on the turf and Sunday’s  1 1/8-mile Ashley T. Cole for New York-bred turfers.

 

The Fall Championship Meet’s stellar Grade 1 schedule is highlighted by the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and up going the Classic distance of 1 ¼ miles on Saturday, October 2. That race is but one of five Grade 1 events on Super Saturday, which also features the $350,000 Beldame for fillies and mares, the $350,000 Vosburgh for sprinters, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, and the $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational for fillies and mares on the turf.

 

The stellar weekend continues on Sunday, October 3, with the Grade 2, $250,000 Kelso Handicap at a mile, the Grade 3, $150,000 Pilgrim for 2-year-olds on the turf and the Grade 3, $150,000 Miss Grillo for 2-year-old fillies on the turf. Both juvenile races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, in which the winners earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf or Juvenile Fillies Turf.

 

The following weekend offers more tremendous racing, with 2-year-olds taking center stage again in the 140^th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Champagne and the 63^rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies, along with the Grade 1, $250,000 Jamaica Handicap for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

 

New York-breds get their chance to shine on New York Showcase Day, Saturday, October 23, with seven stakes for the top horses bred in the Empire State, capped by the $200,000 Empire Classic.

 

Beginning September 11, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a $300,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 Saturdays at Belmont Park during the 2010 Fall Meet. On Super Saturday, October 2, NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 4.

 

With the exception of October 2, when the first race goes off at 12:30 p.m., post time is 1 p.m. on race days at Belmont Park during the Fall Championship Meet. As currently scheduled, on weekdays and on closing weekend, October 30 and 31, there will be nine races, on weekends and on Monday, October 11 there will be ten races, and on Super Saturday, October 2, there will be eleven races.

 

After opening weekend, general admission is $3 and Clubhouse admission is $5, while children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.  General parking is now free, with preferred parking $2 and valet parking $5. For information on the Belmont Fall Championship Meeting, please visit nyra.com or call (516) 488-6000.

 

OPENING WEEKEND, SATURDAY-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11-12

 

Grandstand admission is free all weekend as Belmont Park’s Fall Championship Meet begins with the featured Grade 2, $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap on opening day and the $100,000 Ashley T. Cole for New York-breds on Sunday. First-race post time is 1 p.m. Eastern.

 

PICK THE PROS AND PONIES KICKS OFF

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

           

The best of two great sporting worlds meet every Sunday during Belmont Park’s Fall Championship Meet with the return of the popular Pick the Pros and Ponies Contest. It’s a free contest, in which contestants must correctly pick the winners of four designated National Football League games as well as the winners of races 3 and 5 on the day’s card for the chance to win a $1,000 prize.

 

SUPER SATURDAY

FIVE GRADE 1 STAKES, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

BASEBALL CAP GIVEAWAY

 

Five Grade 1 stakes are highlighted by the 92^nd running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at 1 ¼ miles, the centerpiece of Belmont Park’s Fall Championship Meet. Two outstanding 1 ¼ mile turf races, the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational and the Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational for fillies and mares will determine the leaders of the pack on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Filly & Mare Turf races. The Grade 1, $350,000 Vosburgh at six furlongs for Breeders’ Cup-bound sprinters and the Grade 1, $350,000 Beldame for fillies and mares aiming at the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic complete this sensational day of racing. In celebration of Super Saturday, NYRA will give away free baseball caps with paid admission, while supplies last.

 

COLLEGE DAY, PRESENTED BY DIME SAVINGS BANK

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

 

College students vie for their chance to win a $1,000 scholarship after each race plus a Dime-supplemented $2,000 scholarship after the final race. With free grandstand admission to college students with a valid I.D., the celebration also includes live music on the Backyard stage and Dime Savings Bank giveaways throughout the day in the grandstand.

 

 

FUTURE IS NOW FOR JUVENILES

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

 

Catch a glimpse of the future in the Grade 1, $300,000 Champagne for 2-year-olds and the Grade 1, $300,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies, both at a mile. Also on the card is the Grade 1, $250,000 Jamaica Breeders’ Cup Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Both juvenile races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, in which the winners earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile or Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.  

 

 

 

CENTENNIAL EXHIBIT OF THE 1910 INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW

PRESENTED BY NYRA AND VISITNASSAUCOUNTY.COM

OCTOBER 8-17

 

Join us for special opening-day ceremonies as the famous 1910 International Aviation Tournament at Belmont Park is commemorated. In conjunction with the Cradle of Aviation Museum, NYRA will host exhibits on the first floor of the grandstand, and on Saturday, October 9, radio-controlled planes will soar over the infield in between races.

 

COLUMBUS DAY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

 

Explore the grounds of beautiful Belmont Park and discover a world of excitement on your holiday. It’s the only Monday of the season when Belmont Park is open. Post time at 1 p.m. The $100,000 Pebbles is the main event for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on the turf. Reminder: Belmont Park will be closed on Tuesday, October 12 and Wednesday, October 13. Belmont Park will re-open on Thursday, October 14. Post time is 1 p.m.

 

NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

 

It has become one of the most popular days at Belmont Park, one devoted exclusively to the New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Program. Featured are seven New York-bred stakes races worth nearly $1 million, highlighted by the $200,000 Empire Classic. Taste the best of New York wineries in the clubhouse, and purchase artwork and products crafted by New York artisans.  New York Lottery offers game and fun in the Belmont Park Grandstand.

           

BREAKFAST AT BELMONT

WEEKENDS SEPTEMBER 11-26

 

The Breakfast at Belmont program provides fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the world of racing by gaining access to otherwise restricted areas of Belmont Park, including a tram tour of Belmont’s remarkable stable area. A kids’ favorite, the starting gate demonstration, gives children an up-close-and-personal look at the amazing contraption. The Paddock Show is a must-see for racing fans and novices alike as a horse’s daily routine and equipment are explained.

 

The Breakfast at Belmont program is held every weekend through September. Breakfast is optional and available for a nominal cost.

 

 

2010 BELMONT FALL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET (37 days)

Saturday, September 11 – Sunday, October 31

 

QUICK FACTS

 

SCHEDULE: Thoroughbred horse racing is conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, with one exception - Belmont Park is open Columbus Day, Monday, October 11.  Belmont Park will be closed on Tuesday, October 12 and Wednesday, October 13, and will re-open on Thursday, October 14.  First race post time is 1 p.m. except on October 2, when first race post time is 12:30 p.m.

 

ADMISSION: After opening weekend, when general admission is free, general 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: Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga.

 

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: NYRA Rewards is your opportunity to earn cash rewards just by wagering on the races, whether it’s on NYRA races or simulcast races. Members receive one point for every dollar wagered on NYRA races and a half-point for every dollar wagered on a simulcast event. Sign up for an account at www.nyrarewards.com and wager on track, over the phone, on the internet, or by using mobile wagering supported devices. NYRA Rewards is New York’s premier PHONE and INTERNET wagering program, offering the highest rebates in the industry.

 

DINING: NYRA has simplified the restaurant reservation system with the creation of a toll-free dining reservation number (888) 516-NYRA. Garden Terrace Restaurant, fourth floor clubhouse; Belmont Café (Casual Dining), first floor clubhouse; 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 Belmont Park. Call (888) 516-6972 for reservations.

 

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) 285-5961.

 

ATTIRE: Elegant attire has long been a tradition at Belmont Park. Ladies and gentlemen who honor this tradition are always appreciated.

Box Seats: Gentlemen: Suits or sports jackets (tie optional). Ladies: Dresses, skirts or slack outfits. Absolutely no shorts or jeans.  

Garden Terrace Restaurant – Neat Casual Attire. Gentlemen: Collared shirts required. Suits or sports jacket optional. 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 Manhattan:  Queens Midtown Tunnel to Long Island Expressway, East to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D.

 

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 New Jersey:  (North) George Washington Bridge to Cross Bronx Expressway to Throgs Neck Bridge to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D.  (South)  Any interstate bridge to Staten Island Expressway to Verrazano Bridge to Belt  Parkway, East to Cross Island Parkway, North to Exit 26D.

 

From Connecticut & Westchester:  Any route to Throgs Neck Bridge to Cross Island Parkway, South to Exit 26D.

 

By Subway:  Take the F Train to 169^th Street or 179^th Street, then take the N6 or the Q2 bus to Belmont. Or take the F train to Parsons and Hillside or the E train to Parsons and Archer and transfer to Q110 MTA bus.

 

By Bus:  N6 (MSBA Line) – Operates along Hempstead Turnpike between Hempstead, West Hempstead, Franklin Square, Elmont, Hollis and Jamaica.  From Jamaica, the bus starts at Jamaica Bus Terminal (165^th Street & 89^th Avenue) and runs along Hillside Avenue to Francis Lewis Blvd. To Hempstead Ave. Stops in front of Belmont Park.  Connections: Transfer from the “F” Train at either 169^th Street or 179^th Street stations.

 

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.  These buses pick up and discharge at the west end of the track.  Connections: Transfer from “F” Train at Parsons & Hillside; Transfer from “E” Train at Parsons & Archer

 

Q2 (MTA bus) – Originates at Jamaica Bus Terminal (165^th Street and 89^th Ave) and runs along Hillside Ave to 187^th Place to Hollis Ave. and discharges at the west end of the track.  Connections: Transfer from “F” Train at 169^th Street or 179^th Street stations.

 

RAILROAD:  NYRA will offer free shuttle service between the Queens Village LIRR station and Belmont Park. Daily shuttles will depart the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Springfield Blvd. at 12:30 p.m. on weekends and 12:45 p.m. on weekdays, and daily shuttles will depart from the Grandstand Center Gate at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

 

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