Thursday, April 21, 2011
Contact: Ashley Herriman
aherriman@nyrainc.com
BELMONT PARK TO HOST MAY EVENTS BENEFITTING ST. MARY’S KIDS
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Belmont Park will host a pair of events in May to benefit St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, a not-for-profit healthcare organization committed to improving the health and quality of life for children and families with special needs.
On Sunday, May 1, Belmont Park will be the site of the inaugural St. Mary’s Jockey & Horseman’s Ball, while the seventh annual St. Mary’s Walk for Kids is scheduled for Sunday, May 22.
St. Mary’s Jockey & Horseman’s Ball on May 1 will honor reigning Eclipse Champion jockey Ramon Dominguez, and New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) President and CEO Charles Hayward will serve as the event’s honorary chair. The ball, at which NYRA TV’s Andy Serling will act as master of ceremonies, will raise funds and awareness for St. Mary’s kids and begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing.
“St. Mary’s provides instrumental help to special needs families and children,” said Dominguez, a Venezuelan-native who has won more than 4,300 races over the course of his North American riding career, which started in 1995. “I am very proud to receive this great honor from such a wonderful organization.”
On May 22, Belmont again will host the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids and Family Fun Day, now in its seventh year. Participants may choose between two routes – either a half-mile or 2.5 miles – both beginning at 9 a.m. and also enjoy Family Fun Day activities with a pirate theme including face painting, crafts, games and pony rides in Belmont’s backyard area. Jilli Dog, the world’s only poker-playing dog, will be on hand to perform mini shows and demonstrate training tips with her owner and handler Rick Caran, and the New York Auto Fest will display custom cars throughout the day.
To purchase tickets to the Jockey & Horseman’s Ball, participate in the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids, become a sponsor of either event, or to learn more, please contact Angela Sculti at 718-281-8817 or asculti@stmaryskids.org .
St. Mary’s Healthcare System is one of only a handful of organizations around the country that is dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions. As the largest provider of long-term home healthcare for children in New York State and one of the nation’s leading providers of pediatric post-acute care, St. Mary’s provides a continuum of care, treating nearly 4,000 children each day throughout the metropolitan area through a network of inpatient, home care and community programs and services, setting a standard of excellence in pediatric healthcare.
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 2010, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $8.7 million. 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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