NYRA/Coglianese Photo

NYRA announces Belmont Stakes Racing Festival community events

by Pat McKenna

Belmont/Elmont parade on Saturday, June 1
Belmont Stakes 5k run/walk on Sunday, June 2
Community Day on June 6

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the annual slate of community events to take place during the week leading up to the 151st running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

As is tradition, the festivities will begin with the 12th annual Belmont/Elmont Parade on Saturday, June 1 followed by the Belmont Stakes Run/Walk on Sunday, June 2.

NYRA's jockey colony will make their annual Belmont Stakes week visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island on Wednesday, June 5. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival then kicks off on Thursday, June 6 with "Community Day" at Belmont Park.

"Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes are a part of the fabric of our community," said NYRA CEO & President Dave O'Rourke. "That's why we make it a priority to extend the festivities beyond the gates of Belmont Park and into neighboring villages and towns. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is a celebration that reflects the interests of our many community partners who take pride in demonstrating their support for this internationally acclaimed sporting event that we have the good fortune to host each year."

With the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets as its centerpiece, the 3-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, from June 6-8, will include 18 stakes races including an unprecedented 8 Grade 1 races on Belmont Stakes Day, June 8.

Now in its fifth year as a 3-day event, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival has quickly become the must-see event to kick off the summer season in New York featuring a unique blend of world-class racing and entertainment alongside premium hospitality offerings

Belmont/Elmont Parade
When: Saturday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Steps off at the Elmont Public Library

Once again serving as the traditional Belmont Stakes Week kick-off event, the Belmont/Elmont Parade on June 1 will provide the opportunity for thousands of residents, local leaders and elected officials to march along Hempstead Turnpike and into Belmont Park.

"We hold a special place in our hearts for the parade because Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes are a big part of our community and it's such a great way to celebrate that," said Paul Sapienza, president of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce and life-long Elmont resident. "The kids love it. The schools love it. Everybody gets behind it and it brings the local community together. Everyone has representation and it draws us all together."

The Belmont/Elmont Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Elmont Public Library (700 Hempstead Turnpike) and will proceed west down Hempstead Turnpike before entering Belmont Park at Gate 5. Among the participants will be elected officials, local leaders, marching bands from Elmont public schools, members of the police and fire departments and local youth organizations.

Longtime Elmont resident Mabel Johnston will march as the grand marshal in recognition of her decades of service to the Elmont community.

Integrated Medical Foundation & New York Racing Association Belmont Stakes 5k Run/Walk on National Cancer Survivors Day
When: Sunday, June 2 following live racing
Where: Course runs throughout Belmont Park and finishes on the main track

The Belmont Stakes' 5K Run/Walk on National Cancer Survivors Day will take place on Sunday, June 2. Co-sponsored by Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC), the run/walk is held on National Cancer Survivor's Day and promotes the importance of early cancer detection. Annually, the 5K run raises awareness and more than $100,000 in funding for prostate cancer education, support, and screenings.

"It's important for us to acknowledge the cancer survivors in our community," said Rhonda Samuel, Executive Director of the Integrated Medical Foundation. "We love partnering with NYRA and they've done a great job of working with us and making it happen."

The Integrated Medical Foundation & NYRA Belmont Stakes 5K Run/Walk for National Cancer Survivors Day takes place entirely on the grounds of Belmont Park. Runners begin in the parking lot area behind the grandstand before continuing to the training track and running across the finish line on Belmont's iconic "Big Sandy" main track. Participants will be treated to a post-race celebration where they will enjoy refreshments and have the opportunity to win prizes.

Jockey Visit to Ronald McDonald House of Long Island
When: Wednesday, June 5
Where: Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

The NYRA jockey colony will pay its annual Belmont Stakes week visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island (RMH-LI) to raise awareness for the important work RMH-LI does to support families of young people undergoing treatment in local hospitals. Located on the campus of the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, RMH-LI has accommodated approximately 30,000 families from the United States and more than 80 countries around the world since its opening in 1986.

"Jockey Day is a highly anticipated annual event here at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island," said Matt Campo, RMH-LI President. "During such a stressful time, it is a fun day that our resident families look forward to. Meeting the jockeys is always an exciting opportunity for the children and a much-welcomed distraction. We'd like to thank NYRA for their many years of support and dedication to our mission of keeping families close in the midst of their child's medical crisis. We wish the jockeys the best of luck at the Belmont Stakes!" he continued.

Participating jockeys will include Hall of Famers John Velazquez and Javier Castellano, brothers Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Jose Ortiz among others.

NYRA Community Day
When: Thursday, June 6
Where: 1st floor of the Belmont Park Grandstand

Day 1 of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is highlighted by NYRA 's annual "Community Day" on Thursday, June 6 at Belmont Park. Community Day shines a light on the mission and goals of regional non-profits and service providers who set up informational booths and participate in various activities designed to raise awareness and funding for their efforts.

"Community Day is a wonderful way to start the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival," said Vanessa Rodriguez, NYRA's Community Relations Manager. "It has grown each year and now includes more than 20 organizations doing amazing work locally and throughout Long Island."

Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Entertainment

Multi-platinum hip-hop artist Flo Rida headlines the entertainment offerings and will perform a short set just prior to the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8. Immediately following the conclusion of the day's live racing program, Flo Rida will then perform a special, post-race concert near the 'Top of the Stretch' at Belmont Park.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will take the stage at the conclusion of live racing on Friday, June 7 for a special post-race concert. New Jersey's own Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes emerged from the Jersey Shore in the early 1970's and have enjoyed a decades-long successful career, delivering their soul-searing brand of raucous blues and R&B to audiences with huge hits like "I Don't Want To Go Home", "Love On The Wrong Side Of Town", "The Fever", "This Time It's For Real" and "Got To Get You Off My Mind".

Belmont Stakes Day will also include a trackside performance from the hit musical Rock of Ages. The five-time Tony nominated show hilariously captures the 1980s in Hollywood through the greatest rock anthems and power ballads of the era such as "Wanted Dead or Alive," "I Wanna Know What Love Is", "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Here I Go Again", "Don't Stop Believin'" and many more.

Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Tickets

General Admission for Belmont Stakes Day is available for only $25 through May 31. Beginning on June 1, general admission is $30 while supplies last.

To purchase tickets today, and for additional information on all premium hospitality options, please visit BelmontStakes.com.

About the New York Racing Association (NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to New York State.

Over the course of 219 days of live racing in 2018, NYRA generated more than $2.1 billion in all-sources wagering handle with paid attendance exceeding 1.7 million for the fifth consecutive year.