Saturday, April 23, 2011
Contact: Jenny Kellner
$1 MILLION
ELMONT, N.Y. – Thoroughbred racing returns to Long Island on Friday, April 29, when Belmont Park opens it historic iron gates for the 56-day spring/summer meet and its centerpiece, the 143rd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, the oldest and longest leg of the Triple Crown.
Tens of thousands of fans will pack
Belmont Park’s biggest day of racing also offers five additional graded stakes races comprising a $1 Million Guaranteed All Graded Stakes Pick 4 and a $1 Million Guaranteed All Graded Stakes Pick 6. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will also offer a Brooklyn Handicap-Belmont Stakes Double on Friday June 10.
The stakes season begins on Saturday, April 30 with the 82nd running of the Grade 3, $100,000
Other Grade 1 stakes include the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap on the turf, the Foxwoods Just a Game for fillies and mares on the turf, and the TVG Acorn for 3-year-old fillies, all on Belmont Stakes Day, as well as the Odgen Phipps Handicap for fillies and mares (June 18); the Mother Goose for 3-year-old fillies (June 25); the Prioress for 3-year-old filly sprinters (July 4); and the Man o’War on the turf (July 9). Returning to the stakes calendar are the Grade 2 Futurity for 2-year-olds and the Grade 2 Matron for 2-year-old fillies, which will be contested July 3.
On Saturdays, beginning May 14, NYRA will offer a $300,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 on the final four races of the day. The Late Pick 4 is a wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of the last four races on the card. 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.
Beginning on Opening Day, the minimum Pick 4 wager at NYRA tracks will be reduced to 50 cents from $1.
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 Kentucky Derby. Enrolling in NYRA Rewards is easier than ever with new wagering on-track or online at www.nyrarewards.com. Members enjoy free express funding, instant signup, and live video streaming with no minimum balance or wagering frees.
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) and Family Fun Days on Sundays, presented by Coca Cola.
“Party at the Park” returns for three Fridays beginning July 1 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 Lou Gramm Band in the backyard at the conclusion of live racing. On Friday, July 8, experience Wondrous Stories, Long Island’s most progressive rock band, and on Friday, July 15, Big Shot Tribute Band returns with the ultimate Billy Joel experience!
First race post time is 1 p.m. except for “Party at the Park” and
Except for Belmont Stakes Day, general grandstand admission and admission to the Belmont Café simulcast area is $3, clubhouse admission is $5, and general parking is free.
OPENING WEEKEND
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 29-MAY 1
The featured race for opening weekend is Saturday’s 82nd edition of the Grade 3, $100,000
WORLD OF HORSES
SUNDAY, MAY 29
The World of Horses returns to
SATURDAY, JUNE 4 – FRIDAY, JUNE 10
NYRA is proud to be a part of the
SATURDAY, JUNE 11
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 TVG Acorn, the Grade 1 Foxwoods Just a Game, the Grade 2 Woody Stephens and the Grade 2 True North Handicap, presented by Emirates Airline, comprising a $1 million Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 4 and a $1 million Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 6. Fans can visit www.belmontstakes.com, the ultimate source for Belmont Stakes news, information, resources, and history. Spectacular entertainment begins in the
PARTY AT THE PARK
FRIDAYS JULY 1, JULY 8 and JULY 15
The biggest party on
SATURDAY-MONDAY, JULY 2-4
Belmont Park’s backyard is a perfect setting for an Independence Weekend barbeque as well as great stakes racing, featuring the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap and the Grade 2 Dwyer on Saturday, the Grade 2 Bed o’Roses along with the Grade 2 Matron and Futurity Stakes for 2-year-olds on Sunday, and the Grade 1 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies on Monday, Independence Day. On Saturday, the Denice Given Band takes the stage in the backyard, and Sunday’s Family Fun Day features multi-talent shows and carnival booths.
FAMILY FUN DAYS ON SUNDAYS
PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA
Every Sunday,
SATURDAY, JUNE 25 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 26
The annual Belmont Park Handicapping Challenge 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
2011 BELMONT SPRING/SUMMER (56 days)
Friday, April 29 – Sunday, July 17
QUICK FACTS
SCHEDULE: Thoroughbred horse racing is generally conducted Wednesdays through Sundays.
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 www.nyrarewards.com, call 1-800-THE-NYRA, or stop by a customer service booth on-track.
DINING: Garden Terrace Restaurant, fourth floor clubhouse. Call (888) 516-NYRA or visit OpenTable.com.
The Heritage Club, the track’s refurbished third-floor food court, features a full-service bar, seven televisions, three self-service wagering terminals and expanded cuisine options, with a new burger grill, paninis, Tex-Mex and pizza. Individuals looking for a quick bite will be able to choose from a variety of pre-made sandwiches, salads and beverages at a grab-and-go station.
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-NYRA.
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 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. Connections: Transfer from “F” Train at Parsons & Hillside; Transfer from “E” Train at Parsons & Archer
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. Connections: Transfer from “F” Train at
RAILROAD: NYRA will announce the specifics of taking the
| 2011 Belmont Park Spring/Summer Stakes Schedule | | | | | |
| DATE | RACE | GRADE | 2011 PURSE | AGE | DISTANCE |
| Sat., Apr.30 | | III | 100,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Sat., May 7 | Beaugay | III | 100,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Sat., May 7 | | III | 100,000 | 3 & UP | 1 1/16 (Turf) |
| Sun., May 8 | NYSS - | | 100,000 | F 3YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sun., May 8 | NYSS - Times Sq Division | | 100,000 | 3YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sat., May 14 | Peter Pan | II | 200,000 | 3YO | 1 1/8 |
| Sat., May 21 | Shuvee (Hdcp.) | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Sat., May 28 | | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 3/8 (T) |
| Sun., May 29 | | NYB | 100,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile (T) |
| Sun., May 29 | Mount | NYB | 100,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 Mile (T) |
| Mon., May 30 | Metropolitan Handicap | I | 500,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile |
| Mon., May 30 | Sands Point | II | 150,000 | F3YO | 1 1/16 (T) |
| Sat., June 4 | Vagrancy (Hdcp.) | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 6 1/2 Furlongs |
| Sun., June 5 | NYSS Cupecoy’s Joy | | 75,000 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs (T) |
| Sun., June 5 | NYSS Spectacular Bid | | 75,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs (T) |
| Fri., June 10 | Poker (Hdcp.) | III | 100,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile (Turf) |
| Fri., June 10 | | II | 150,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/2 Miles |
| Sat., June 11 | | I | 1,000,000 | 3YO | 1 1/2 Miles |
| Sat., June 11 | Woodford Reserve | I | 400,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/4 Miles (T) |
| Sat., June 11 | True North Handicap presented by Emirates Airline | II | 250,000 | 3&UP | 6 Furlongs |
| Sat., June 11 | Woody Stephens | II | 250,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sat., June 11 | Foxwood Just a Game | I | 400,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 Mile (T) |
| Sat., June 11 | TVG Acorn | I | 300,000 | F3YO | 1 Mile |
| Sat., June 18 | | I | 250,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 Miles |
| Sat., June 18 | Hill Prince | III | 100,000 | 3YO | 1 Mile (T) |
| Sat., June 25 | | II | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 ¼ Miles(T) |
| Sat., June 25 | Mother Goose | I | 250,000 | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles |
| Sun., June 26 | Bouwerie | NYB | 100,000 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sun., June 26 | Mike Lee | NYB | 100,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs |
| Sat., July 2 | Suburban (Hdcp.) | II | 300,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Sat., July 2 | Dwyer | II | 150,000 | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles |
| Sun., July 3 | Bed o’Roses | III | 150,000 | F&M 3&UP | 7 Furlongs |
| Sun., July 3 | Matron Stakes | II | 150,000 | 2YO | 6 Furlongs |
| Sun., July 3 | Futurity Stakes | II | 150,000 | 2YO | 6 Furlongs |
| Mon., July 4 | Prioress | I | 250,000 | F3YO | 6 Furlongs |
| Sat., July 9 | Man o’War | I | 600,000 | 3&UP | 1 3/8 Miles(T) |
| Sat., July 16 | Jaipur | III | 100,000 | 3&UP | 7 Furlongs (T) |
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