The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will continue its tradition of honoring police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) during First Responders Day Thursday, July 24 at Saratoga, the organization announced Friday.
As thanks for their dedication and service to their community, the day will feature free admission for all first responders and a named race in their honor. Special recognition will be given to three members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department and other individuals who were instrumental in the rescue of 'Sly', a 22-year-old quarter horse who fell through the ice on a pond this past February. Officers Kyle Clinton, Kris Camarro, and Dominic Martuscello will be honored for their intervention efforts in the winner's enclosure during a special ceremony. Aly's owner will also be recognized and Sly himself will be in attendance to greet fans and take photos at Horse Sense from 2-4:00 p.m.
The New York State Troopers Pipes and Drums band–the first police pipe band to organize in the U.S.–will perform trackside following the third and fifth races. The New York State Troopers Pipes and Drums will be supplemented by an appearance from the New York Police Department (NYPD) Ceremonial Unit, which conducts hundreds of ceremonies each year in honor of police officers in New York and across the U.S.
Saratoga Springs first responder t-shirts commemorating the city's police and fire departments will also be available for purchase, while supplies last. Each shirt costs $20 and all net proceeds will benefit the respective organizations' charitable foundations.
For more information and to see a list of the foundations, please go here.
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