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NYRA announces Students to the Starting Gate

Pat McKenna • Aug 25 2025

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the creation of “Students to the Starting Gate”, an initiative tied to the donation of 500 backpacks containing essential school supplies to community-based organizations serving families in Queens, Nassau and Saratoga Counties. 

On Tuesday, August 26, NYRA staff and the Saratoga Race Course mascot, Gallop, will visit Saratoga City Center at 5 p.m. to help distribute backpacks and school supplies to students at the 2025 Salvation Army Back to School Expo. 

“Young people deserve the tools to succeed in school, and we hope these contributions will generate excitement for the upcoming school year,” said Robert Hines, NYRA Community Affairs Manager. “NYRA would like to thank the non-profits and community organizations who partnered with us in launching Students to the Starting Gate.” 

Downstate, NYRA provided students in the Elmont Union Free School District in Elmont, NY, with backpacks during an event on August 9 organized by the Jamaica Square Improvement League. 

“New backpacks can help children feel confident, especially when they pick it out themselves, which they do,” said Claudine Hall, President of the Jamaica Square Improvement League. “This program is helping to make a difference in the lives of a lot of students and their families.”

In addition to the Salvation Army, NYRA is donating backpacks to communities and non-profit organizations including:

  • Showing Hearts Foundation (Queens County) 
  • Corinth Central School District (Saratoga County) 
  • Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (Saratoga County)
  • Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. (Nassau County)
  • Franklin Community Center (Saratoga County)
  • Universal Interactions (Nassau County)

Prior to the conclusion of the 2025 summer meet on Labor Day, September 1, NYRA will thank fans with special offers on tickets and hospitality at Saratoga Race Course during the final week of the summer meet, Wednesday, August 27 to Monday, September 1.

For additional information on fan appreciation week, visit NYRA.com/Fans. 

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