NYRA

Veteran jockey Deshawn Parker is the winner of the 2021 Mike Venezia Memorial Award, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday. Parker, based at Indiana Grand, was chosen in ballots cast by more than 350 professional jockeys at North American tracks. He outpolled a distinguished group of finalists including Junior Alvarado, Julien Leparoux, Scott Stevens and Gerard Melancon, and will be recognized in a special ceremony Thursday, Sept. 2 at Saratoga. Created in 1989, the Mike Venezia Memorial Award is awarded to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and...

It's been a difficult few years for Phil Serpe and his stable. Like many smaller outfits trying to compete at a top-tier racing circuit, he has seen his number of horses dwindle as owners move in favor of consolidating their operations in the barns of "super trainers". Partly due to circumstance, partly due to that increasing monopolization of the sport, Serpe has had an especially trying 2021. Heading into this past weekend, he had just two winners to his name since the calendar turned--a 4-year-old maiden-breaker named King Angelo (Lemon...

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will celebrate New York Showcase Day at Saratoga this coming Friday, Aug. 27. The aim of the Showcase Day is to spotlight the state's breeding program with six stakes exclusively for New York-breds to be held, including the $250,000 Albany S. for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. Tiz the Law posters will be given away for free while supplies last. A special autograph session will be held with the connections of last year's GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. winner, with owner...

According to a ruling released Wednesday, trainer Orlando Noda has been fined $5,000 by the New York stewards for "action detrimental to the best interest of racing." According to a report in the Daily Racing Form, which cited multiple sources, Noda was seen being overly aggressive with a horse during morning exercise recently in Saratoga. When reached by the TDN, Noda declined to comment and referred questions to his attorney, Drew Mollica. "The commission rendered a fine and the allegation is not clear to me yet," Mollica said. "I am...

The crew of the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland celebrated a major milestone Tuesday, recording the 100th episode of the ever-growing podcast, and did so with a star-studded show shot from the New York Racing Association's television stand overlooking the majestic paddock at Saratoga. Welcoming as guests NYRA CEO David O'Rourke, America's Day at the Races analyst and Saratoga veteran Andy Serling and Eclipse champion jockey Jose Ortiz, the writers got insight on the future of New York racing both upstate and downstate, the significance of fans returning to...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. and America's Best Racing have extended their partnership through 2023. America's Best Racing will continue as a presenting sponsor of both America's Day at the Races and Saratoga Live. Saratoga Live, produced by NYRA in conjunction with FOX Sports, is in its sixth season broadcasting the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course to a national audience on the networks of FOX Sports with weekend regional coverage on newly named broadcast partner SNY. NYRA produced nearly 800 hours of national television coverage in 2020, more...

The Week in Review by Bill Finley Steve Asmussen moved past Dale Baird Saturday to become North America's all-time leading trainer in wins with 9,446. But for such a goal-oriented individual, it's no time to rest. To be number one in the world, Asmussen still has to catch Peruvian trainer Juan Suarez. And it won't be easy. Suarez, as of Saturday, had 9,886 wins--or 440 more than Asmussen. On the same day that Asmussen won one race from 13 starters spread across four racetracks, Suarez had three wins on the...

Resorts World will serve as naming rights partner for the Founders Room and Legends Hall, which are located within the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course, and will be the presenting sponsor of the $750,000 GI Sword Dancer S. on GI Runhappy Travers Day, Aug. 28, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Saturday. "We are excited to expand our partnership with Resorts World, our longtime neighbor at Aqueduct Racetrack," said Tony Allevato, NYRA Chief Revenue Officer. "We invite and encourage our fans to experience and enjoy the many amenities...

Martin Panza will leave his position as Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) effective at the conclusion of the Belmont Park fall meet Oct. 31. Panza has been in charge of the leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA since he joined the organization in 2013. He has also been responsible for the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's stakes offerings and daily racing programs, including changing the scheduling of major stakes on individual days to blockbuster events featuring multiple significant...

One of the stars of the successful New York Racing Association and Fox Sports daily broadcast from Saratoga, Acacia Courtney joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland Wednesday morning. Calling in via Zoom as the Green Group Guest of the Week, Courtney gave her impressions on the early part of the Saratoga meet and talked strategy when it comes to analyzing the 2-year-old races that are so integral to the programs at the Spa. Asked about the different feeling in the air at tracks this year with fans...

NYRA/Fox Sports TV Host Acacia Courtney joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to share her favorite moments from the first half of the Saratoga race meet and give her picks for a big upcoming weekend of racing.

In partnership with To Life!, the New York Racing Association will honor local breast cancer survivors during Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Thursday, Aug. 5. To Life! is a Capital Region non-profit organization that provides support services to breast cancer patients and their families. The day's events include: 12:30 p.m. - A special performance of the National Anthem from breast cancer survivor Tammy Ogsbury of Malta, NY. 1-3:00 p.m. - The "Best in Pink" fashion contest - fans are encouraged to wear their most fashionable outfit--prominently featuring pink-to have a...