NYRA

ELMONT, NY - With the rising sun attempting to make its way through hazy skies as air quality health advisories remain in effect throughout the New York City area due to the Canadian wildfires, eight of the nine GI Belmont Stakes runners were in action during the first hour of training on a cool Wednesday morning. Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) and Tapit Shoes (Tapit), both equipped with white bridles and NYRA's commemorative 50th Anniversary Secretariat Belmont S. saddle towels, made a favorable impression in their first day of training...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be at Belmont Park this weekend for the GI Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and will be honored with race to highlight accredited aftercare. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Race will be Race 10, on Thursday with a post time of 7:45 p.m. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which includes a branded blanket and swag bag. Additionally, the TAA will co-host the winning guests from one of the VIP experiences, donated by NYRA, auctioned off earlier...

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Zedan Racing Stables' MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) will skip Saturday's GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, at Belmont Park. Taiba worked seven-furlongs in 1:27.40 Friday at Santa Anita in what was to be his final prep for the one-turn mile. He has not raced since an eighth-place effort in the G1 Saudi Cup February 25 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. "His works have been good, but not like I'd like to see them. I just don't think he's ready for...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a number of unique incentives for owners and trainers at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, slated for Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10, at Belmont Park which will be highlighted by the 155th running of the GI Belmont S., the final jewel of the Triple Crown. The event will encompass 16 stakes races worth a combined $7.65 million while the June 10 Belmont Stakes card will feature nine graded events, including three Breeders' Cup qualifying races as part of the...

Eye Witness (City of Light) kept his win streak intact with a victory over the soaked turf at Belmont on Saturday afternoon in the Paradise Creek S. After a debut third last fall against state bred company on the grass during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the bay colt went to the sidelines before coming back to his trainer's base at Turfway where he broke his maiden with a front-running score Jan. 1 by 1 3/4 lengths. Stepping up in class in the Animal Kingdom S. in Florence,...

The third race at Belmont Park Friday was left with just two horses entered to run after Lasix was not administered to four horses who were supposed to receive it. The veterinarian charged with administering the Lasix, Dr. Steven Lascher, "is no longer employed by NYRA," the company said. The race, a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at one mile had drawn six entries, but was left with just two: Pharoah's Heart (American Pharoah) and Honey Money (Central Banker) after the omission came to light. "Four horses entered to run in...

Tom Durkin will return to the announcers booth to call the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 10, according to a press release from FOX Sports. In addition to calling the Belmont Stakes, Durkin will announce all races aired during the network's Belmont Stakes Day coverage on FOX--scheduled for 4:00-7:30 p.m. Eastern. FOX Sports presents the Belmont Stakes for the first time in 2023 as part of the agreement establishing the network as the home of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival through 2030. "This is yet another...

There are plans to significantly enhance opportunities for fans to experience the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour package the New York Racing Association, Inc. announced Friday. Expanded due to its popularity in 2022, the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour will be offered this year every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the Saratoga meet and will now feature two active thoroughbred breeding farms, Song Hill Thoroughbreds and Old Tavern Farm. "Last year's inaugural Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm package was such a huge success that we have expanded it...

The 2023 'Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In' television schedule, consisting of six live programs across NBC, CNBC and FOX, was released by the Breeders' Cup Thursday. "We are delighted to continue our strong partnership with NBC, who have helped showcase the Breeders' Cup to millions of fans over the past decade," said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. "I am also pleased we will expand our reach this summer through our new initiative with FOX and NYRA. As we seek to bring the most...

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown performance in the 1973 Belmont, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a special $50 ticket package, including General Admission for the June 10 Belmont, two Day Chaser cocktails and a custom, limited-edition, Day Chaser koozie featuring the event's official logo. The commemorative offering amounts to a nearly 25% savings on the bundled admissions and drink package. The "Chase the Day" GA+ package includes: Belmont Day admission with access to the trackside apron bench seating, backyard and grandstand...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Elmont Parade Committee announced that the Paul Sapienza Elmont/Belmont Parade will be held Saturday, June 3. Named for the late Paul Sapienza, a lifelong Elmont resident and former president of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, the 15th annual parade will again serve as the traditional kickoff to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The event will kick off at approximately 10 a.m. with marchers starting in the parking lot of the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex next to the Elmont Library (700...

1st-BEL, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f, 1:00 p.m. As he is prone to do, Wesley Ward will send members of his stable to Belmont--this time a pair of juveniles--who have been working at his home base at Keeneland. The 4-5 morning line favorite is PRINCESA CELINA (Quality Road), who RNA'd at the Fasig-Tipton November sale in 2021 for $545,000, and is out of dam Lastofthsummerwine (Sky Mesa). She produced a trio of solid earners in GSW Conquest Panthera (Kitten's Joy) and his full-brother, GSP Maniacal, plus GSW Happy Like A...