Elmont, NY - April 16, 2015 - Derby Day is less than three weeks away, and racing fans from across the New York metropolitan area are making plans to gather at Belmont Park, New York's home for Triple Crown horse racing on Saturday, May 2. Kicking off the 2015 Triple Crown championship series, the New York Racing Association will host a live simulcast of the vaunted "Run for the Roses", as well as complementing a full day of championship racing with many unique activities including a Kentucky-themed barbecue festival and Knob Creek bourbon tasting, as well as an outdoor concert in Belmont's vast, picturesque backyard.
"Belmont Park is New York's favorite place to kick off the Triple Crown season, and this year we are making it better than ever," stated Lynn LaRocca, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer. "From a distinct, Kentucky-themed Barbecue festival and Knob Creek bourbon tasting, to an outdoor concert and many family fun activities including face painting and petting zoo, we are complementing a great day of live racing with an exciting, fun-filled day of activities for racing fans of all ages."
The day begins with the first "Breakfast at Belmont" of the season, starting at 7:00 a.m. and running through 9:30 a.m. Featuring free admission and parking, the program offers an optional breakfast buffet available for $11 in the Belmont Café. Guests can watch horses and their exercise riders participate in morning workouts from the track apron. Weather permitting, guests can also take a free tram ride through the stable area, enjoy a free paddock show and participate in a free starting gate demonstration.
At 10 am, gates will officially open for Derby Day, with general admission available for $5. Special picnic packages, including admission, lunch and a program, are available for groups of 4 or more. Groups of 20 or more attending Derby Day at Belmont Park will also receive a video board welcome, as well as two free clubhouse general admission passes for the group leader to the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
Live racing commences at noon and features an extended, 13-race card. Highlights include the running of three graded stakes races: Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay, Grade 3 Fort Marcy, and the Grade 3 Westchester.
A distinctive, Kentucky-themed barbecue festival and Knob Creek bourbon tasting will excite the pallet of guests from far and wide. Featuring pulled pork, brisket, wings, baked beans and other traditional classics, all guests can enjoy a taste of the south in the comfort of Belmont's backyard. Adult guests will also be able to enjoy samples of Knob Creek bourbon in the Paddock Terrace.
Numerous family-fun activities are planned for Derby Day at Belmont Park, featuring face painting, a bounce house and a petting zoo. Representatives of numerous local area colleges will also be on hand for Belmont's annual College Day. Awards will be given for the delegations generating the largest turnout, as well as for participants judged best dressed.
An evening concert will also entertain guests in the Belmont backyard. Additional information on the entertainment lineup will be announced in the near future. There is no additional charge for guests to enjoy the Derby Day concert at Belmont Park.
Reserved seats and special picnic packages are available for advance purchase by calling 1-844-NYRA-TIX. Additional information on Belmont Park, including directions, attire requirements and cooler policies can be found at www.nyra.com/belmont
Derby Day is the kickoff to the Triple Crown season, with Belmont Park again serving as New York's Triple Crown headquarters. Racing fans will gather at Belmont and enjoy simulcasts of the 141th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, as well as the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 16.
Three weeks later, racing fans will return to Belmont for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, a three day event featuring seventeen graded stakes races and more than $10 million dollars in purses. The festival is highlighted by the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 6; the oldest and longest leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.
Tickets for the expanded, three day festival of premium racing, hospitality and entertainment are still available, but selling fast. For more information on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival or to purchase admission, seating or hospitality packages, please visit belmontstakes.com, or call 1-800-NYRA-TIX.
About the New York Racing Association (NYRA)
Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, the New York Racing Association's mission is "Meeting the highest standards in thoroughbred racing and equine safety." With a lineage of nearly 150 years, NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry, which contributes more than $2 billion annually to its urban, suburban and rural economy.
In 2014, more than 1.7 million people attended live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totaled more than $10 million. For more information, visit NYRA.com