NYRA

Grammy Award-winning artist Diplo will headline the 2023 Belmont Racing Festival with a special performance prior to the Belmont S. The New York Racing Association, Inc. announced Friday. Highlighted by the 155th running of the GI Belmont S.--the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown--the Belmont Racing Festival is a three-day celebration of racing and entertainment beginning Thurs., June 8 and culminating Sat., June 10.

Veteran New York trainer Jimmy Jerkens, 64, whose stable has been slumping in recent years, has agreed to train in Saudi Arabia for Prince Faisal bin Khalid Al Saud. Jerkens said he will likely start his new job in Saudi Arabia in mid-May. The Daily Racing Form's David Grening was first with the story. Jerkens, the son of Hall of Famer Allen Jerkens, has been around the New York tracks for nearly 50 years. After working for his father as an assistant, he went out on his own in 1997....

Ron Walker has been named The Jockey Club steward for Finger Lakes Racetrack and will take the place of Samantha Randazzo, who was appointed as The Jockey Club steward for The New York Racing Association tracks. Walker has been involved with horse racing since 1981 and has been an owner, breeder, trainer, and racing official. Prior to becoming steward at Finger Lakes, he was the state steward for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, spent nine years as the presiding steward for the New Mexico Racing Commission and also worked as...

Fasig-Tipton will remain the title sponsor for the Fillies Turf Triple for another two years. The New York Racing Association and the Fasig-Tipson Company announced the renewal Thursday for the series of turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies. For the 2023-24 seasons, Fasig-Tipton will serve as the named sponsor of the GI Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational July 8 at Belmont Park; the GIII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Aug. 4 at Saratoga Race Course; and the GIII Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational to be held in 2023 during the Belmont at the...

Abigail Klima has joined the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to oversee Membership Services, acting as the primary liaison for all current and prospective trainers and owners competing on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit. Klima will be assisting owners, trainers, and their staff with information and guidance on all areas related to participation in New York racing, including licensing, registration, and credentialing. Additional responsibilities will include administering and supporting the New York Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP), the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund (NYJICF), the Horseracing Integrity...

The Oklahoma Training Track at historic Saratoga Race Course will open for the 2023 season on Monday, Apr. 17, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Wednesday. The Oklahoma barn area will open to licensed trainers and staff beginning Saturday, Apr. 15. Prior to the start of the 2023 summer meet, the Whitney Viewing Stand, which overlooks the Oklahoma track, will be open to the public free of charge on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Friday, Apr. 21 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Highlighted by the GI Travers...

Rick Dutrow was on the Belmont backstretch Tuesday morning preparing for the rest of his career after an absence of more than ten years, the result of his license being revoked by the New York racing authorities. Dutrow had his license reinstated by the New York Gaming Commission on Feb. 27, but said that Tuesday was his first day back at work. "They gave me stalls in barn 28," Dutrow said. "They allowed me to come back [Tuesday]. It was mid-day and I went straight to the barn to set...

1st-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 3-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:36.48, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. RANDOMIZED (f, 3, Nyquist--French Passport, by Elusive Quality), last seen at Saratoga July 24 when she was third sprinting on debut behind Kaling (Practical Joke), made her presence felt from the start at Aqueduct when the 3-2 second choice powered confidently to the front as she was stalked by favorite Gifted (Tapit). As the pair began to separate themselves from the rest of the field, they briefly dueled around the far turn, but it was Randomized who was...

Sentell "Sonny" Taylor, Jr., who first joined the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) as an assistant clocker in 1964 at Aqueduct, has announced his retirement. The 85-year-old, currently serving as a NYRA placing judge, will step down on Apr. 2 after 58 years. "Sonny Taylor is a friend, a mentor and an encyclopedia of racing--and we will miss him," said NYRA's Senior Vice President, Racing Operations Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. "There's no one else like Sonny, and we look forward to honoring him in a way that highlights his...

Jockey Manny Franco captured his fourth winter meet riding title at Aqueduct, posting 63 wins at the meet that ran from Jan. 1 to March 26. Linda Rice paced all trainers with 37 wins, while Windylea Farm secured their first NYRA-circuit owners title with 12 wins. "It means a lot to me. This is what we're here for," said Franco, who is represented by agent John Panagot. "I want to be one of the top riders here on the New York circuit, and I work hard to make it happen....

1st-Aqueduct, $77,600, Msw, 3-26, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:18.15, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. HARRODSBURG (g, 3, Constitution--Gracer {MSW & GSP, $243,000}, by Exchange Rate), off a sharp work from the gate over at Belmont's training track Mar. 18 (.47, 1/123), vanned over to the 'Big A' for the real thing as the 3-1 third choice on the tote in this spot. Wrestling the lead away, the homebred sped down the backstretch, rounded the far turn in command by posting :45.86 for the first half-mile and extended his lead down the lane...

Forty broadcasters from all corners of the globe will provide live coverage of Saturday's $30.5-million G1 Dubai World Cup from Meydan Racecourse. In all, nine races will be contested, headlined by the $12-million Dubai World Cup, Sponsored by Emirates Airline. Dubai Racing Club's Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and RMG's agency HBA Media, have secured some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting to televise and live stream the day's events, include Fox Sports in the U.S., ESPN/Star+ in South America, SuperSport in Africa, Viaplay in Europe, Dubai Media and BeIN...