Francesca Le Donne Photo

Jockeys John Velazquez and Javier Castellano to throw out ceremonial first pitches Tuesday at Mets game

by Pat Mckenna

The New York Racing Association Inc. announced that Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and four-time Eclipse Award-winning rider Javier Castellano will throw out the ceremonial first pitches on Tuesday at Citi Field before the Mets play the Milwaukee Brewers.

The first pitch ceremony will take place at approximately 7:01 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Velazquez rode Always Dreaming to victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs, marking his second career Derby victory and first since Animal Kingdom in 2011. The 2012 Hall of Fame inductee has also won the Belmont Stakes twice, aboard Union Rags in 2011 and Rags to Riches in 2007. He has more than 5,700 career wins.

Castellano rode 13-1 longshot Cloud Computing to a narrow victory over Classic Empire in the Preakness on May 20. It was his second career Preakness victory, following his win aboard Bernardini in 2006. Castellano has won the Eclipse Award for top jockey for the past four years. He has more than 4,500 career wins, and this summer he will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Additionally, fans in attendance at Citi Field for the next six home games will have an opportunity to win tickets to the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, presented by NYRA Bets. Tickets are selling fast. To attend, you can purchase tickets through BelmontStakes.com. Upgrade your admission package to "Toast the Turn" for exclusive access to a craft beer tasting within the Top of the Stretch Food Truck Village, access to premium beers, snacks and water, discounts on food and beverage, and a Belmont Stakes Souvenir. Upgrade your admission package at https://www.belmontstakes.com/ToasttheTurn.

Featuring world-class racing coupled with premium hospitality and entertainment, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, from June 8-10 at beautiful Belmont Park, has quickly become a popular kick-off event to the summer racing season in New York. Highlighted by the Belmont Stakes, the Festival is comprised of 18 stakes, six of which are Grade 1s, including the $1.2 million Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap and $1 million Woodford Reserve Manhattan, and offering more than $10 million in purses.

Multi-platinum recording artist Andy Grammer will headline the entertainment lineup for the 2017 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with trackside pre- and post-race concerts on June 10. Belmont Stakes Day will also include a performance from the hit Broadway musical On Your Feet!. on Friday, June 9, fans can enjoy a performance from the acclaimed Billy Joel tribute band Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot at the conclusion of live racing.