Thursday, October 14, 2010
Contact: Ashley Herriman
aherriman@nyrainc.com
SPOTLIGHT ON BEST OF NEW YORK OCTOBER 23 AT BELMONT PARK
ELMONT, N.Y. – The best of New York will be highlighted on track and off at Belmont Park on Saturday, October 23, when The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) hosts its annual New York Showcase Day, sponsored by VisitNassauCounty.com and the New York Lottery.
In addition to seven state-bred stakes races, NYRA will celebrate the Empire State’s food, wine and crafts with vendors located on the first floor of both the Clubhouse and Grandstand, and family activities in the backyard.
Five New York wineries – Long Island’s own Duck Walk and Pindar Vineyards joined by Finger Lakes region representatives Heron Hill Winery, Fox Run Vineyards and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars – will offer a special “Wines of New York” tasting in the Clubhouse lobby. Just a few steps away in the Grandstand lobby, a New York marketplace will feature delectable local food products including cheese, jams and fruit spreads for sampling and purchase, as well as jewelry, handpainted glass, and other beautifully crafted items. Both will run from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Showcase Day.
As well, he Garden Terrace Restaurant on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse will feature a buffet with regional dishes and wines. For reservations, please call 888-516-NYRA (6972).
In Belmont Park’s spacious backyard, an Autumn Carnival will feature a scavenger hunt, a hayride and pumpkin patch, face painting, a pumpkin carver, pony rides and much more. All activities are free for children 12 and under.
The New York Lottery, a co-sponsor of the event, also will have a booth in the backyard near the paddock with games of chance and prizes for Lottery customers. In the event of inclement weather, backyard activities will be moved to the first floor Grandstand.
The New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ (NYTB) annual scholarship awards luncheon will be held in the Turf and Field room on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse and NYTB Board Members will make trophy presentations during the afternoon’s race card. This year, the Gerald Nielsen Memorial Scholarship will be presented to Jessica Boyd, a third-year honors student in the racing management program at the State University of New York (SUNY) Morrisville.
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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