In addition to all the top-quality state-bred thoroughbred action carded for Saturday, October 24 at Belmont Park, the very best of the Empire State from food to entertainment will also be highlighted on the New York Racing Association’s annual New York Showcase Day.

Long a producer of first-rate thoroughbreds, New York is also recognized for its fine food and wine. Raphael Winery, located on Long Island’s North Fork in Peconic, N.Y., and Heron Hill Winery, located upstate in the Finger Lakes region, will offer a special “Wines of New York” tasting in the Clubhouse lobby. Just a few steps away in the Grandstand lobby, a New York marketplace will feature Saratoga Salsa and other delectable local food products for sampling and purchase. Both will run from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Showcase Day. The Garden Terrace Restaurant on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse will feature regional dishes and wines. For reservations, please call 516-488-1740.

On the second floor of the Clubhouse, several of New York’s best equestrian artists will exhibit their work from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Frankie Flores, who regularly displays his colorful racing scenes at Saratoga Race Course, brings the show downstate with 10 percent of any Showcase Day sale proceeds to benefit NYRA’s backstretch charities. Adriano Manocchia and Julie Duggan will also have their work featured, and L. Wicks Fine Art Gallery of Saratoga Springs will represent some of these talented Capital Region artists. Manocchia is a leading American Artist, and the L. Wicks Fine Art Gallery will donate 20% from the sale of the highest priced piece sold on Saturday to the NYRA backstretch charities.

The backyard will rock from noon - 4 p.m. to the sounds of Jeff Lubin’s “Downtown” band, which will play classic and contemporary rock favorites in the Paddock Tent. An Autumn Carnival will feature a backyard scarecrow hunt with candy prizes, a hayride and pumpkin patch, cookie decoration stand, face painting, giant pumpkin sculpting and much more. All activities are free for children 12 and under. The New York State Lottery will have a booth in the yard with games of chance and prizes for Lottery customers.

For those looking for insight into the day’s race card, a Daily Racing Form Handicapping Seminar featuring DRF New York handicapper Dave Litfin and national handicapper Mike Watchmaker will be held on the third floor of the Clubhouse (far end of building closest to Clubhouse entrance) from 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. All participants will receive free copies of DRF Quicksheets for the October 24 card.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ scholarship awards luncheon will be held in the Turf and Field room on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse. For advance reservations, members should contact event coordinator Cathi Jackson at 518-587-0777. Tickets for this event will not be available at the door.