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Welcome to On The Lead, the monthly newsletter of The New York Racing Association. We will keep you tuned in to all of the ongoing excitement at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
In each issue, we will update you on important news and look ahead to the featured promotions, events, and stakes races for the coming month. You will read fun and enlightening interviews with our trainers and jockeys and receive the latest information about our NYRA Rewards program. And as an added bonus, you can download eye-popping wallpaper and watch thrilling race replays!
On The Lead is your one-stop communication to catch up on the action at the NYRA tracks. We hope you enjoy this issue!
Sincerely,
Gavin Landry
Senior VP - Sales & Market Development |
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 The Belmont Park Fall Championship Season kicks off with great perks for fans of the industry’s best thoroughbred racing. On opening day, Friday, September 5, NYRA will treat its fans to FREE Grandstand Admission. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to enjoy one of the most storied racetracks in America.
 The giveaways don’t stop just because the storied Saratoga Racing Meet has concluded. Pick up a classic Belmont Park Long Sleeve T-Shirt on Saturday, September 6. It is a must-have for the crisp weather that arrives with the fall season. This great item will be given away free with paid admission, while supplies last. The day also features a great race card with two GI races.
 Keep your backside padded with September’s premier giveaway, the Belmont Park Stadium Cushion Seat, scheduled for Saturday, September 27, Breeders' Cup Challenge Day. With back and hind support, this item will allow you to enjoy live world-class racing in total comfort. The cushion seat will be given away free with paid admission, while supplies last. Use it that Saturday as you watch five sensational GI races.
 Get into the game with the Pick the Pros and Ponies contest every Sunday, starting September 7, during the Belmont Park Fall Season. Not only can you watch all of the NFL games each week, you can also participate in a contest to win $1,000. All you have to do is select the winners of four designated NFL games and two designated Belmont races. Call (516) 488-6000 for more information about the Pick the Pros and Ponies contest.
 Saturday and Sunday mornings at Belmont Park offer entertainment for the entire family with the beloved Breakfast at Belmont program. It provides a behind the scenes look at the world of racing by allowing fans access to otherwise restricted areas of Belmont Park including a tram tour of the remarkable stable area. There is also a demonstration that gives kids an up close and personal look at the starting gate. In addition, the Paddock Show with Sheila Lindquist is a must see for racing fans and novices alike as she explains a horse’s daily routine and equipment.
Sensational bands will electrify the Belmont Park backyard with live music every Saturday and Sunday in September. The groups include Buddy Merriam & Backroads, Jimmy Nations, The Invisable Band, The Denice Given Band, Sal Vivo & Friends, Rockjunky, J Blake & The Earthquake, and The Jack Grace Band. Combine the unmatched thrill of thoroughbred racing with the tantalizing tones of these tremendous bands. |
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 Racing returns to Belmont Park in September, and what a month of racing it is! With 15 graded stakes on the calendar, Belmont Park will host the final prep races for many top Breeders' Cup contenders. It will be a star studded month of thoroughbred racing that no fan will want to miss.
 The graded action at Belmont begins on Saturday, September 6 with two storied GI races. The feature is the Ruffian Handicap (GI) for fillies & mares going 1-1/16 mile on the dirt. Last year’s rendition was won by Ginger Punch, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff and was named Eclipse Champion Older Female Horse. The 3-year-old turf fillies also get their chance to shine that day with the Garden City (GI) going 1-1/8 mile over the grass.
 The following weekend features a card with four exciting graded races. The feature on Saturday, September 13 is the Gazelle (GI), a premier race for 3-year-old fillies at the 1-1/8 distance on the dirt. Fans of juvenile racing are in for a treat as well, with the Futurity (GII) for 2-year-olds and the Matron (GII) for 2-year-old fillies, both to be run at seven furlongs on the dirt. Last year’s editions of these sensational races were won by Tale of Ekati and Proud Spell, respectively, who both went on to experience GI success as 3-year-olds. September 13 also includes something for the turfers, with the Noble Damsel Handicap (GIII) for fillies & mares at a mile.
On Saturday, September 20, the lady sprinters will pound down the Belmont stretch in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (GII), run at six-and-a-half furlongs on the dirt. On Sunday, September 21, the fastest New York-bred juveniles will hit the track in the Bertram F. Bongard for 2-year-olds and the Joseph A. Gimma for 2-year-old fillies, both at the seven furlong distance.
 The featured day of the Belmont Park Fall Meet is Saturday, September 27, with an astounding five GI races worth nearly $3 million in purses! Not only are the purses huge, but it’s a special Breeders' Cup Challenge Day where the winners of each GI race earn an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup starting gate.
 The centerpiece on the Breeders' Cup Challenge card is The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) for older horses on the dirt going the classic distance of 1-1/4 mile. Two of the last five winners (Curlin in 2007 and Mineshaft in 2003) went on to be named Eclipse Champion Horse of the Year. The main track action on Breeders' Cup Challenge Day continues with the Beldame (GI) for fillies and mares going 1-1/8 mile and the Vosburgh (GI) for 3-year-old & up sprinters.
 Not to be forgotten on this unmatched card are the world’s most talented turfers. The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (GI) , run at 1-1/2 mile for 3-year-olds & up, is one of the nation’s premier grass races. Last year’s winner, English Channel, went on to a dominating Breeders' Cup victory and was named Eclipse Champion Male Turf Horse. The fillies & mares compete in the Flower Bowl Invitational (GI) at a 1-1/4 mile on the lawn. Lahudood mowed them down in the stretch last year and then, like English Channel, triumphed in the Breeders' Cup and earned the Eclipse Award for Champion Female Turf Horse.
The final racing day in the month is Sunday, September 28, and features three thrilling graded races on the grass. The action is highlighted by the Kelso Handicap (GII) for 3-year-olds & up at a mile. The juvenile turfers will get in their final Breeders' Cup preps with the Pilgrim (GIII) for 2-year-olds and the Miss Grillo (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies, both run at 1-1/6 mile.
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 Three Chimneys Farm has joined the ever growing list of prestigious NYRA sponsorship partners. They now become the title sponsor of the $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (GI), the most significant race for 2-year-olds run at Saratoga Race Course. The agreement also gives Three Chimneys on-track exposure at Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park, and advertising in the track program. Located in Midway, Kentucky, Three Chimneys Farm is home to many top thoroughbred stallions, including Dynaformer, Rahy, and Smarty Jones. The world-renowned breeding operation is also the future home of current 3-year-old superstar Big Brown.
Breeders' Cup Challenge Day at Belmont Park is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, with five huge GI races worth a whopping $2.95 million. The races are comprised of The Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Beldame, the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, the Flower Bowl, and the Vosburgh. The winners from each of these races will gain automatic entry into the corresponding Breeders' Cup races. In addition, pending New York State Racing & Wagering Board approval, there will be a $500,000 Guaranteed All GI Stakes Pick Four on the card.
Rolling Daily Doubles and additional Superfecta opportunities were so well-received during the Saratoga Race Course meet that, pending New York State Racing & Wagering Board approval, they will be available during the Belmont Park Fall Meeting. Superfectas are offered on NYRA races without entries or fields that have at least eight betting interests carded, or seven if a late scratch occurs from paddock to post.
 NYRA Nation, the official fan club of The New York Racing Association, is off to a strong start with more than 3,000 members! Becoming part of NYRA Nation is completely free, and members will receive an official member card, a custom lapel pin (on-track sign-ups only), and gain access to many exclusive benefits, including automatic entry into random draws to win a VIP Day at the Races, NYRA Gift Packages, and much more. Sign up for free at the NYRA Nation entry page or in person at the track.
 Your Event...Our Venue...Imagine the Possibilities! The NYRA Group Sales team has a brand new website, located at www.nyragroupsales.com. The site features cutting edge graphics and has all the information you need to make your next group outing a tremendous success. Visit the site right now to get great information on bringing a group of any size to beautiful Belmont Park in the fall.
 Edgar Prado and Carl Nafzger were among the six people inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame on Monday, August 4. Prado, a 41-year-old Peru native, owns ten New York riding titles and more than 20 GI victories. He won the 2006 Kentucky Derby with the supremely-talented Barbaro. Nafzger, a 67-year-old Texas native, was a championship Rodeo bullrider before becoming a thoroughbred trainer. He trained two Kentucky Derby winners: Unbridled (1990) and Street Sense (2007).
 Louis Olah, who was the silks man for the New York Racing Association for more than 40 years, was honored on Monday, August 11 when the Saratoga Race Course Silks Room was dedicated to his memory. Additionally, a race that day at Saratoga was named after him. Olah passed away in March at the age of 79 and is greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting the 4-foot-8-inch tall, 90-pound lifetime racetracker.
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 Each month we’ll take a trip to the backstretch and visit with a different jockey or trainer. For this issue, the focus is on newly-inducted Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado. This Peruvian-born pilot has won the New York Riding Title on ten different occasions. Prado, 41, won the 2006 Kentucky Derby aboard the late Barbaro and boasts three Breeders’ Cup victories.
Prado makes his residence in Hollywood, FL with his wife Liliana, their sons Edgar Jr., 22, and Louis, 14, and their daughter Patricia, 15.
Q: How did you first get involved with horses?
I’ve been involved with horses all my life. My father was a groom and exercise rider, and I had two brothers that were both jockeys. I always wanted to be a jockey.
Q: When did you come to the United States, and what factored into the decision?
I came here from Peru in March of 1986. I was motivated by a desire to take part in the most competitive horse racing in the world. I wanted to prove myself on that stage and hopefully win a Kentucky Derby. It was incredibly difficult at first, mainly because the only English phrases I knew how to say were “Good Morning” and “Hello.”
Q: You will be forever linked with the legendary Barbaro. What was the experience like leading up to the Derby and then getting your first victory, a dominating one, in that race?
Going into the Derby with Barbaro was a phenomenal experience. Every race leading up to the Derby he kept getting stronger and stronger. I knew he was the best horse, and was so confident in him that I had my entire family come in for the race.
Q: After Barbaro was injured in the Preakness, people from all over the world came together to express their love for him. Although it must have been a very difficult experience, was it encouraging to see and hear the response from people?
It was amazing. Something awful happened, but something very good came out of it. The love that people showed for Barbaro after the Preakness was incredible to experience. And the fact that he was able to survive for so long after such a catastrophic injury gave hope to many people around the world.
Q: You’ve already won three Breeders’ Cup races and the Kentucky Derby. What are your next major goals?
I would love to win the Preakness. I rode for so many years in Maryland and have a lot of friends there. I really thought that Barbaro was going to win at Pimlico, but instead it was a very sad day. So I would love to redeem myself and ride to the winner’s circle in the Preakness. | |  |
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 The NYRA Rewards 2007 Breeders’ Cup Party at Aqueduct was a tremendous success and it is back to blow the doors off at Belmont Park! Members earning 2,500 points or more in the month of September will receive an invitation for two [2] to a catered lunch at Belmont Park to celebrate the 2008 Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, October 25, 2008 (limited availability). Qualifying members and guests will enjoy a deluxe buffet, a party gift bag, top hospitality, and the finest accommodations to watch and wager on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita. An option for a one month DRF.com online subscription package in lieu of the party invitation will be available to qualifying members. To check your point balance during September, please call 1-800-THE-NYRA and select option # 7. Keep in mind that this balance is not reflected in real-time and has been calculated as of the close of business, the previous day.
 Have you tried Express Funding? It is the easiest way to instantly fund your wagering account, up to $500 per day. The inconvenience of carrying cash and the days of paying credit card transaction fees are over. With Express Funding, members that make electronic check deposits receive immediate credits to their wagering account. No more waiting for checks to clear! You can request electronic check deposits using our telephone system at 1-800-THE-NYRA. Express Funding enrollment is free! Daily and weekly limits apply. Click here for enrollment instructions and more information.
To learn more about NYRA Rewards, click here for a brochure. Internet wagering is currently available to residents of New York State only. |
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