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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! |
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 Aqueduct is the perfect place to watch and wager on the Breeders’ Cup on Friday and Saturday, November 6 – 7. In addition, there will also be great live racing at Aqueduct that weekend. Many of the top dirt juveniles will be contesting the Grade 2 Nashua and the Grade 3 Tempted at Aqueduct on November 7. Also that day is the Grade 2 Red Smith for 3-year-olds & up going 1-3/8 miles on the turf. The gates will open at the same time as normal, with eight lives races on both Friday and Saturday at Aqueduct. Click here for more details.
 NYRA is hosting hour-long live, online chat sessions with key industry figures on select Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. Fans and handicappers may log on to http://www.nyra.com/livechat to join the chat. The first chat was on Friday, October 23 with NYRA race analyst Andy Serling, and future chats will be with NYRA executives along with top New York jockeys and trainers. No pre-registration is necessary and users may simply type questions and comments in the chat field at the bottom of the page for the featured chatter to address. At the conclusion of the chat, an “instant replay” is created for future reference. Click here to read more.
 The popular daily handicapping show “Talking Horses” will be available for live viewing online at www.nyra.com beginning on Wednesday, November 4. Fans who are not on-track will be able to watch and listen to the show live online and get all the day’s handicapping selections from the program’s prognosticators. “Talking Horses” runs from approximately 11:35 – noon on live racing days, always starting approximately an hour before first post, and is hosted by NYRA TV Analysts Jason Blewitt, Eric Donovan, and Andy Serling. Click here for more details.
 A limited number of spots are still available for the 2009 Aqueduct Fall Handicapping Challenge taking place Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15 in Aqueduct Racetrack’s Equestris Restaurant. Registration concludes Sunday, November 1, and interested players should contact Kathy Locke (718-659-2373 or klocke@nyrainc.com) or click here for official rules and application. The challenge is limited to approximately 200 entrants, and players can sign-up for a maximum of two entries. Entry fee is $400, and wagering is allowed on Aqueduct, Calder and Churchill. Click here for more info.
 Starting Monday, November 2, Aqueduct Racetrack will offer dark day simulcasts on Mondays and Tuesdays. Fans will be able to bet at Aqueduct’s second-floor simulcast center, and mutuel clerks, self-service terminals and concession stand service will be available. There is no charge for admission or general parking at Aqueduct for either live racing days (Wednesdays through Sundays) or simulcast-only days. Parking and admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m., with the final simulcast race going off at approximately 7:00 p.m. Aqueduct will also be open for simulcasting during the Holiday Break from Monday, December 14 - Wednesday, December 23, but will be completely closed on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25. Click here for more details.
 Get into the game with the Pick the Pros and Ponies contest every Sunday during the NFL 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 Aqueduct races. Call (718) 641-4700 for more information about the Pick the Pros and Ponies contest.
 The New York Lottery will be at Aqueduct on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 as part of the fantastic Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile weekend of racing. The New York Lottery will be set up outside of the NYRA Store at Aqueduct with a host of special games for lottery customers. It should be a great event that no one will want to miss.
 NYRA is on Facebook! The page enables users to interact with other NYRA fans, stay updated on NYRA events, view NYRA racing photos, and much more. NYRA's Facebook page already has more than 3,200 fans, so join the community now! Click here to access the NYRA Facebook page.
 Fans of Rachel Alexandra can connect with the star 3-year-old filly on her own website, “Rachel’s Sandbox," set up by NYRA. Rachel recorded a victory for the ages when she became the first ever female winner of the prestigious Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, September 5. The multimedia site gives fans an interactive experience and allows them to keep up with the latest news and information on Rachel Alexandra as she looks to make history. Fans can view a Rachel Alexandra photo gallery, peruse career past performances and pedigree, comment on blogs and participate in a poll on the website, which also contains a “Fun Stuff” section featuring downloadable wallpaper, coloring pages, and fun facts about the fabulous filly. Fans can visit “Rachel’s Sandbox” at www.nyra.com/rachel
 Fans of Rachel Alexandra have a new online outlet to share their thoughts and impressions of the exceptional bay filly in the “Fan Letters” section of Rachel’s Sandbox at NYRA.com, where NYRA will now publish letters penned by her supporters. Rachel Alexandra made history at Saratoga Race Course, becoming the first filly ever to win the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes against older male rivals. To submit fan mail, please email letters to rachelfanmail@nyrainc.com for publication on “Rachel’s Sandbox.” Fan letters can be accessed under the “Fun Stuff” section of the website, which also features downloadable wallpaper, coloring pages, and fun facts about the fabulous filly. The “Fan Letters” page is just the newest aspect of the multimedia site at which fans can view Rachel Alexandra photo galleries, peruse career past performances and pedigree, comment on blogs and more. Click here to read more.
 Aqueduct Racetrack provides an intimate and elegant setting for groups of any nature and is a particularly dramatic destination for corporate events. Enjoy superb fare, spectacular views and unparalleled service while experiencing thoroughbred racing at its finest. All options include admission, program and luncheon. Drink packages can be added on at an additional cost. Children (ages 3-12) receive a 33 percent disount! Packages and menus can also be customized to fit client needs. For more information, visit www.nyragroupsales.com or call (888) 285-5961. |
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 November is the most prolific month of graded racing all year long at Aqueduct, with twelve graded stakes highlighted by the prestigious Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap and the Gazelle. November also features the New York Stallion Series, a day of racing spotlighting the top stallions that the Empire State has to offer. Click here for details on the meet.
 The graded action kicks off immediately with the Long Island (GIII) on Sunday, November 1, run at 1-1/2 miles on the turf. One of the top tests for long routing turf fillies & mares, last year’s rendition was won by Criticism, who has had a successful 2009 season and could return to defend her title.
 Many of the top dirt juveniles that don’t want to try their luck on the synthetic surface in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita will be contesting the Nashua (GII) and Tempted (GIII) at Aqueduct on Saturday, November 7. Both are run at a mile on the main dirt track, with the former for all 2yo’s and the latter for 2yo fillies. The Nashua has been recently won by sensational colts such as Bluegrass Cat (2005) and Rockport Harbor (2004). Also on Saturday, November 7 is the Red Smith (GII) for 3-year-olds & up going 1-3/8 miles on the turf. In addition to the great live racing, Aqueduct is the perfect place to watch and wager on the Breeders’ Cup on Friday and Saturday, November 6 – 7.
 Saturday, November 14 is not only the start of the two-day Aqueduct Handicapping Challenge, but it also features a tremendous graded race in the Stuyvesant (GIII), run at 1-1/8 mile on the dirt for 3-year-olds & up. This race features an honor roll of past winners that includes the talented geldings Dry Martini (2008) and Evening Attire (2005).
 New York Stallions will be in the spotlight on Sunday, November 15 as their progeny will take to the track for the New York Stallion Series. The day features six New York Stallion Stakes highlighted by the Fifth Avenue and the Great White Way, both six-furlong sprints for juveniles. In total, the six featured stakes are worth $500,000.
 Another of the Aqueduct fixtures is the Discovery (GIII) on Saturday, November 21 for 3-year-olds at 1-1/8 miles. Included among the past winners of this race are the super speedy Left Bank (2000) and New York hero Evening Attire (2001).
 The biggest stretch of racing during Aqueduct’s winter meet is Thanksgiving week, featuring six graded races. The action starts on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, with the Fall Highweight Handicap (GIII) for 3-year-olds & up going six furlongs on the dirt. Last year’s rendition was won by superstar Fabulous Strike, arguably the fastest horse in the world. Friday, November 27 includes the Top Flight Handicap (GII) at a mile for fillies & mares on the dirt.
.jpg) Saturday, November 28 is one of the most exciting days of racing all year long, highlighted by two fantastic Grade 1 races and two great juvenile races. The day’s headliner is the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (GI), one of the top dirt mile races in the world. The list of Cigar Mile winners reads like a who’s who of racing, including super stallions Forty Niner (1988 – first running), Quiet American (1990) and Rubiano (1991), the legendary Cigar (1994), and more recently two-time winner Congaree (2002, 03), Discreet Cat (2006), and Tale of Ekati (2008).
 Also on Saturday, November 28 is the 114th running of the prestigious Gazelle (GI), run at 1-1/8 mile for 3-year-old fillies on the dirt. Many of the top fillies to ever grace the track have visited the Gazelle winner’s circle, including Versailles Treaty (1991), Serena’s Song (1995), Silverbulletday (1999), and most recently the brilliant Music Note (2008).
 Many of the top juveniles in the country also get their chance to shine on Saturday, November 28 in the Remsen (GII) and the Demoiselle (GII), both run at 1-1/8 miles on the dirt. The Remsen, for all 2yo’s, has been won recently by horses that went on to magnificent careers, including Bluegrass Cat (2005), Nobiz Like Shobiz (2006), and Court Vision (2007). The Demoiselle is for 2yo fillies and always features an ultra-competition group of up-and-comers. | |  |
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 On the heels of a successful 2009 race meet at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA will expand the 2010 season by four days, a revision that will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Next year’s Saratoga meet will begin on Friday, July 23 and consist of 40 racing days. It will feature a Wednesday through Monday live racing schedule that will go through Labor Day, Monday, September 6. Each day of the meet will include a stake, and pending approval from the NYRA Board of Directors, the Grade 1 Coaching Club America Oaks, traditionally run at Belmont Park, will shift to the first weekend at Saratoga. Click here for more details.
 BelmontStakes.com has been named a finalist in the Best Website category at the 2009 American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Communications Awards, scheduled to be held Tuesday, November 17 in Las Vegas. The website was launched this past May by NYRA and is dedicated to the prestigious third jewel of thoroughbred racing’s storied Triple Crown, which was run this year for the 141st time on Saturday, June 6 at Belmont Park. Click here for complete details.
 NYRA has launched a brand new Community Relations website! This site will stay updated with all of the great events that NYRA is organizing and taking part in with the communities surrounding their racetracks. Some of the recent organizations and events that NYRA helped out with were Elmont Clean Up Day, the Exceller Fund, and the Gateway Youth Outreach. Bookmark the NYRA Community Relations website to keep informed of all these important events.
 NYRA has launched a Twitter website for racing analyst Andy Serling, located at Twitter.com/andyserling. Serling, a co-host of Talking Horses and NYRA Live, is known for his bold predictions and confident demeanor. Serling’s Twitter page will feature a combination of race analysis and wagering suggestions, along with observations that he makes throughout the day while at Aqueduct. Click here to start following Andy!
NYRA keeps fans abreast of racing information at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga with its official Twitter site, located at Twitter.com/NYRAnews. The site is updated throughout the day with scratches and changes, news and notes, interesting events, and a host of other information. Click here to follow the site!
 For an hour or so on Wednesday afternoons at Belmont Park, Kiaran McLaughlin’s barn becomes something more than a stable of world-class thoroughbreds – it becomes a classroom. On that day, McLaughlin hosts a small group of sixth-graders as part of an after-school program with Gateway Youth Outreach, which supports the youth of Belmont Park’s neighbor, Elmont, with a number of programs and services. Click here for more details on this great program.
 Jockey Ramon Dominguez continued to dominate the competition in New York with his fifth straight riding title and trainer Todd Pletcher won his 20th individual training title as Belmont Park’s 33-day Fall Championship Meet concluded Sunday, October 25. Dominguez, New York’s leading rider, won two races on the final Sunday card of the Belmont Fall Meet to finish with 39 victories, five more than Rajiv Maragh. John Velazquez finished third with 32 winners. Click here for complete details.
 Photo finish pictures are now available on demand at NYRA.com. The site enables fans to view the photo finish pictures for win, place, show, or fourth place at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga. It's a great way to get an unparalleled view of the heated competition at the finish line. Click here to learn more about how to access these great photo finishes!
 NYRA has introduced turf course updates to NYRA.com in order to provide the most accurate and timely information on each day’s grass races. Racing fans can go to NYRA.com, click on the web banner titled, “Turf Course Updates,” and instantly see the track conditions and find out which races, if any, have been taken off the turf for that day. The updates are provided on the website shortly after the NYRA Racing Department has made its decision regarding the day’s turf racing, and could be posted as early as 8:00 a.m. Click here to see the turf course updates.
 Tune in to Trips & Traps, NYRA's groundbreaking online handicapping show! Join hosts Andy Serling and Eric Donovan for an insiders look at horses to watch or horses to watch out for. On this weekly show, Andy and Eric scrutinize replays of races to find horses that have a reason to perform much better in future races. You will learn how to better scrutinize replays for information that's not necessarily in the past performance charts.Trips & Traps is only available at NYRA's official Youtube site. |
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 Each month we’ll take a trip to the backstretch and visit with a different jockey or trainer. This month the spotlight is on Tom Bush, trainer of New York-bred turf star Banrock. We sat down with Bush just a day after he saddled Banrock to a win in the Mohawk, one of last weekend’s New York Showcase stakes races.
Born in Indianapolis, Bush began his career at Someday Farm in Ocala, Fla., now closed. After assisting, among others, Hall of Fame trainers H. Allen Jerkens, John M. Gaver Sr. and Angel Penna Sr., Bush went out on his own in 1983 and has been training in New York ever since.
In the Belmont Fall Championship meet that concluded on October 25, Bush finished fifth in the overall standings with a record of 10-7-2 from 38 starters and purse earnings of $422,490. In addition to his strong showing in New York this fall – which included two stakes wins with Banrock in the Mohawk and Ashley T. Cole – Bush also scored a major victory with one of his up-and-coming turf talents, Get Stormy, in the Grade 3 Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland on October 18.
Q: You’ve been in New York for basically your entire career, what do you like about training here?
It’s far and away the best racing in America, which is one of the reasons why you want to be here. Now that I’ve been here so long, we actually really love living in New York. We love living in Floral Park and we love going to the city. We love everything about it.
Q. Do you have a favorite NYRA track?
I guess I like Belmont the most because it’s such a great facility. The barns are big, and we have great paddocks. When you go anywhere else, it’s like camping out compared to Belmont. It really is a fabulous facility.
Q. What about Saratoga? Even though Belmont is your favorite, do you enjoy heading upstate in the summer?
I do, but it’s daunting. Moving up there is a big deal because you have to separate the stable and it’s expensive, but horses do well at Saratoga, so that’s the best reason to go. The horses just seem to thrive up there.
Q. Do any of the horses you have right now especially enjoy it up there?
Banrock LOVES Saratoga. He loves that action. | |  |
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 Summer Bird loves New York. The grand chestnut son of Birdstone won all three of New York's marquee races this year: the Belmont Stakes, the Shadwell Travers, and most recently, the Jockey Club Gold Cup against older males. In doing so, he became the first horse since Easy Goer in 1989 to complete that unique triple of New York races. Tim Ice has done a masterful training job with the strapping 3-year-old colt, who is expected to return to race in New York in 2010. Summer Bird's powerful victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup is featured in this month's featured wallpaper and race replay, which can be seen here.
 Rajiv Maragh is one of the top young riders in the world. Born in Jamaica, he turned 24 this summer, but you wouldn't know that from his calm and confident demeanor. Maragh has been a force among the New York riding colony all year long, among the leaders in wins at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga. He finished a sensational third among all jockeys at Saratoga with 33 victories, nearly doubling his total of 19 Saratoga wins in 2008. This year will also mark his first trip to the Breeders' Cup. We spoke to him about those topics and more. Click here to listen to the podcast. | |  |
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