NYRA Celebrates New York with Free Hats
Photo provided by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — If there’s one thing track-goers love, it’s a free giveaway.
The New York Racing Association announced this week that opening day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 4 will include 10,000 “I Love NY-Breds” baseball caps up for grabs.
Admission gates open at 11 a.m., with first post scheduled for 12:40 p.m.
The caps are meant to celebrate New York Showcase Day, which will feature six $200,000 events exclusively for New York-breds, including the seven-furlong Mike Lee for sophomores; Bouwerie at the same distance for sophomore fillies; the nine-furlong Commentator for 3-year-olds and up; and the Critical Eye at the same distance for females 3-years-old and up. On the turf, there will be a pair of 1 1/16-mile events, the Kingston for older horses and the Mount Vernon for older fillies and mares.
New York Showcase Day will also shine a spotlight on the state’s agricultural industry, with food and beverages made exclusively in New York State. Fans will have the opportunity to sample and purchase craft beer, wines, spirits, and food at the Taste NY Pavilion. The Pavilion will operate from noon to 5 p.m., and will feature products from Whitman Brewing, Speckled Pig Brewing, The Albany Distilling Company, Keuka Spring Vineyards, Country Corner Cafe, and Toga Nola, among others.
New York Showcase Day will also feature the Mendelssohn Club, an Albany-based choral group, which will perform “New York, New York”.