The inaugural Belmont Stakes Invitational Soccer Tournament helps NYRA celebrate local student athletes
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced it has partnered with the Sewanhaka Central High School District Athletic Department to present the inaugural Belmont Stakes Invitational Soccer Tournament for student athletes from schools neighboring Belmont Park.
Set for 11 a.m. this Saturday, May 31 at the Alva T. Stanforth Athletic Complex in Elmont, the friendly exhibition tournament will feature teams comprised of local student athletes and also includes a soccer clinic for kids. The tournament celebrates 157th edition of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, which be held at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 7.
The round-robin style tournament will include boys and girls teams from Carey High School, Sewanhaka High School and Floral Park High School; and boys teams from New Hyde Park High School and Elmont High School. A youth clinic for children ages 13 and under will begin at 12:30 p.m.
“We’re grateful to the New York Racing Association and Nick Caras of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy for creating this event to celebrate our student athletes,” said Sewanhaka Central High School athletic director, Matt McLees. “The off-season is a great time for our young people to improve their skills and build their competitive nature in a non-pressured environment. We look forward to the opportunity to continue hosting this event and others with the New York Racing Association.”
NYRA’s Manager of Community Affairs Robert Hines called the inaugural Belmont Stakes Invitational Soccer Tournament, “an affirmation of the commitment to local youth that we share with our neighbors.
“We hope it’s the start of a new tradition, and something that will continue long after we get back home to Belmont Park.”
The Belmont Stakes Invitational Soccer Tournament also headlines the return of NYRA’s involvement in several other popular, longtime community events, set for the eve of the Belmont Stakes. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 6, the Floral Park Street Fair will feature something for all ages, from live music and face painting to raffles and community dance performances.
Organized by the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by NYRA, the Street Fair will include a main stage, located near the Long Island Railroad Station in the heart of downtown and a second, smaller stage near The Paddock [formerly McCarthy’s] at 152 Tulip Avenue, which will host acoustic sets and local duets.
Also on the evening of Friday, June 6, the Belmont Street Festival returns to Garden City. Organized by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, it will feature a range of music and entertainment.
Live racing at NYRA moves upstate for the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course from June 4-8 before returning to the Big A on Thursday, June 12.
America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.belmontstakes.com/event-info/tv-schedule.