TurfPublicists: TRIPLE CROWN TEAM O'NEILL TO RACE IN BELMONT STAKES BLUE RIBBON RUN FOR PROSTATE CANCER

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Contact: Nailah Ellis Timberlake

TRIPLE CROWN TEAM O’NEILL TO RACE IN BELMONT STAKES BLUE RIBBON RUN FOR PROSTATE CANCER

ELMONT, N.Y. – Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another’s training team, including Doug O’Neill, plans to run in the inaugural “Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5K Run for Prostate Cancer” on Sunday June 3^rd, 2012. Runners will finish the race on the dirt track at Belmont Park, crossing the finish line where I’ll Have Another will vie for the Triple Crown title next weekend.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). is hosting the event and the Grand Marshal of the Run will be champion jockey Ramon Dominguez, winner of the prestigious Eclipse Award as the nation’s top rider in both 2010 and 2011.

Every year, 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and funds raised from this event will support NYRA’s co-sponsor, Integrated Medical Foundation, which offers educational and support programs and free prostate cancer screenings.

The Blue Ribbon Run will be the prelude to the 144^th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 9, and is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Every entrant will receive a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. “Win, place and show” awards will be presented to the top male and female overall and masters finishers, as well as the top men and women finishers in each of 17 age groups from 12 and under through 85 plus.

“The Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run promises to be one of the most exciting 5K Runs in the United States!” says Joanne K. Adams, NYRA’s Director of Community Relations. “This will be a real test for all of the champion runners as they make their way onto the dirt track at Belmont Park.”

In addition to the race, registered runners will receive free admission to Belmont’s “Family Fun Day” from noon to 4 p.m. on June 3where they can enjoy a full day of thoroughbred racing before the run. Free cancer screenings will also be available for men over 40 on Wednesday, June 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the office of Dr. Carlton Barnswell. Please call (516) 328-8775 for an appointment.

Online registration is now open and applications are available at imfcares.org, glirc.org or by calling the Greater Long Island Running Club at (516) 349-7646. Entry fees are $25 for those who pre-register and $30 for race-day registration.

-30-