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NYRA to offer expanded simulcast TV coverage for Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

by NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that it will provide expanded simulcast coverage of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival highlighted by the 151st running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

The expanded broadcast will provide comprehensive coverage of all stakes races at Belmont Park on Friday, June 7 and on Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 8.

NYRA's telecasts throughout the two days will feature in-depth, comprehensive analysis of each stakes race beginning in the paddock, continuing through the post parade and concluding at the starting gate. The broadcast team for NYRA's live programming will be anchored by host Greg Wolf, paddock reporter Maggie Wolfendale, handicapper Andy Serling, racing analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, handicapper Paul LoDuca, and track announcer Larry Collmus.

"We are excited to provide an unprecedented level of coverage of 15 stakes races over two thrilling days in line with what horseplayers have come to expect from our award-winning telecast," said Tony Allevato, President of NYRA Bets and Executive Producer for NYRA TV. "In addition to insightful analysis from our highly respected and knowledgeable broadcast team, the coverage will include exclusive interviews with numerous racing personalities and handicappers. We encourage fans who cannot witness the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in-person to be a part of the excitement through our simulcast show."

The NYRA TV broadcast will be available at racetracks and simulcast facilities across the country.

NYRA will offer a plethora of guaranteed wagers during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, including an innovative two-day Belmont Stakes Festival Pick 6 wager, featuring a low 15% take out and mandatory payout, which kicks off on Friday and continues on Saturday, concluding with the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, the 'Test of the Champion' for 3-year-olds.

Belmont Stakes Day will also feature a guaranteed pool of $1.5 million on the Late Pick 4 which begins in Race 8 and concludes with the Belmont Stakes, presented by NYRA Bets.

Guaranteed wagers on Saturday also include a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 beginning with Race 1 and a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 which commences with Race 6.

In addition to the Belmont Stakes, the 13-race card on Belmont Stakes Day features 8 Grade 1 races among 10 total stakes including the:

Friday, June 7, will feature five stakes, including four graded, worth $1.65 million in purses. The 11-race card, which begins at 12:50 p.m., includes the Grade 2, $600,000 New York; Grade 2, $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational; Grade 2, $250,000 True North; Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o' Roses Invitational and the $150,000 Tremont.

Friday's wagers will be highlighted by a $500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 beginning in Race 8.

Friday also includes a pair of two-day guaranteed Daily Double wagers: a $100,000 Guaranteed New York-Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap double and a $300,000 Guaranteed Belmont Gold Cup-Belmont Stakes double.

Advance wagering on the full Belmont Stakes Day card will be available on Friday.

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.