Keyword: 'NYRA' | Herald Community Newspapers

Everybody loves horses, right? That’s a fair statement. They are things of grace and beauty. They have been the subject of some epic movies. more

5/31/12

Modern Child, ridden by jockey Cornelio Velasquez, was the first horse to cross the finish line on Friday, April 27, Belmont’s Opening Day.

Modern Child wins Belmont Park opener

Jockey Cornelio Velasquez was cool, calm and collected during the first race of 2012 at Belmont Park last Friday afternoon, waiting for just the right moment to ask Modern Child to make a move in the one-mile dirt event that kicked off the 56-day spring/summer meet. more

By Tony Bellissimo | 5/1/12

Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet, which has long been a popular, family-friendly series of events, begins on April 27. The park’s 56-day Spring/Summer Meet runs through July 15.

Local residents, trainers await Opening Day

Bettors and trainers are preparing for a new season at Belmont Park, which is marked by the bustling track’s Opening Day. Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet, which has long been a popular, family-friendly series of events, begins Friday. more

By Jackie Nash | 4/25/12

More Happy and Rafael Bejarano recently won the Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack, one of three thoroughbred horse-racing facilities overseen by NYRA.

State report: 'NYRA gambles with financial future'

An audit report released last week by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli suggests that the New York Racing Association — the state’s governing body of thoroughbred horse racing, which includes Belmont Park and the Aqueduct Racetrack — has been gambling on its financial future. more

By Jackie Nash, jnash@liherald.com | 1/30/12

The Point Is, No. 8, is part of a growing Final Furlong barn headed by Vince Roth of East Rockaway and Dan Zanatta of New Hyde Park.

Horsing around is their business

Once small investors in a large thoroughbred racehorse partnership, Vince Roth and Daniel Zanatta used their experience and knowledge to create a growing stable that’s both economical and fun. more

Tony Bellissimo | 8/10/11

Local children burst out of the Belmont Park gate — literally — during Breakfast at Belmont in 2010.

Breakfast at Belmont is back

The winter of 2010 was very long and stormy with a lot of snow. Spring is now here, and there is nothing like the early morning sun and to watch and listen to thoroughbreds exercising on the racetrack at Belmont Park. more

By Michael Fenrich | 5/3/11

Refaqat Malik, the owner of the 99 cent Express, at 1081 Hempstead Tpke. in Franklin Square, said that he believes Assemblyman Ed Ra’s legislation to allow off-track betting on Palm Sunday is consistent with the United States Constitution.

Legislation would strengthen state OTB corporations

Assemblyman Ed Ra recently introduced three bills that would help state off-track betting corporations, including racetracks, keep more of the money that is spent on their premises and create more business for them. Ra’s legislation reintroduces three bills offered by Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook) in the 2009-10 legislative session. more

By Jackie Nash | 3/29/11

Belmont Park, operated by the New York Racing Association, is famous for the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, known as the “Test of the Champion” and held each June. Click below order photos, and/or go to www.liherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/index.asp to see all of the photos available that were taken for this story.

Bolstering Belmont now a NYRA commitment

New York Racing Association officials committed to investing in the revitalization of Belmont Park at a State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee meeting Feb. 7. Sen. Jack Martins, a Republican from Elmont who advocated not only for improvements at Belmont but for revamping the Hempstead Turnpike corridor at the hearing, said the commitment was “a very positive step forward” toward developing Belmont’s south lot and improving the aging racetrack. more

By Jackie Nash | 3/1/11

County Exec slams NYRA over Belmont threat

County Executive Ed Mangano stepped into the debate over the New York Racing Association and the Belmont Stakes last week, urging the racing authority not to cancel the event regardless of their financial situation. He also asked the governor to step in and force NYRA to hold the final leg of horseracing’s Triple Crown. more

Matthew Hampton | 2/24/10

DiNapoli subpoenas NYRA records

With the revelation that NYRA may run out of funds before the Belmont Stakes can be held in June, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli revelealed in a press release last week that he plans to audit the racing agency. more

by Matthew Hampton | 1/6/10