Edited Press Release
The 148th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) will be the anchor of this year's three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, featuring 19 stakes races and nearly $10 million in purses.
Belmont Stakes Week officially kicks off Saturday, June 4, and continues through Saturday, June 11, and features events for the whole family.
The week will begin with a parade starting at 10 a.m. (ET) from the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex on June 4 and continuing up Hempstead Turnpike. The following day on Sunday, June 5, the fifth annual Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5K run for Prostate Cancer will take place after the day's races. Live racing at Belmont will also take place on both days.
On Tuesday, June 7, NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay will ring the NYSE Opening Bell at 9:30 a.m.
On Wednesday, June 8, the New York Racing Association will host the Belmont Stakes draw in Rockefeller Center.
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival officially begins Thursday, June 9, and will feature 19 stakes races over a three-day period with nearly $10 million in total purses.
General admission tickets for the three-day festival are still available. General admission for Saturday is available for $20 ($25 on June 11) and includes a featured post-race Belmont Stakes Day concert by Daughtry.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 3
Ribbon-cutting: Starting at 12 p.m. across from the track kitchen on the backstretch, to celebrate completion of initial phase of new housing on the backstretch at Belmont Park.
Saturday, June 4
Belmont Parade: Kicking off at 10 a.m. from the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex; 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont N.Y., 11003, and continuing on Hempstead Turnpike to Belmont Park. NYRA officials will join local leaders to celebrating the start of Belmont Stakes week.
Live Racing: Live racing at Belmont Park commences at 1:30 p.m. and features the $200,000 Pennine Ridge (G2).
Sunday, June 5
Live Racing: Live racing commences at 1:30 p.m. and features the $200,000 Wonder Again.
5K Run for Prostate Cancer: Integrated Medical Foundation's fifth annual Belmont Stakes' Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer® will take place following the completion of the day's race card, and conclude at Belmont's finish line. The run raises critical funds for prostate cancer education, support and screenings.
National Donut Day: Belmont Park will celebrate this event in the backyard during Family Fun activities with fresh donuts.
Monday, June 6
No live racing is scheduled at Belmont Park.
Tuesday, June 7
No live racing is scheduled at Belmont Park.
New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell: NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay will ring the NYSE Opening Bell® at 9:30 a.m. A live stream of the opening bell ceremony can be viewed at: https://www.nyse.com/bell
Wednesday, June 8
No live racing is scheduled at Belmont Park.
Belmont Stakes Draw at Rockefeller Center: Streamed live on NYRA.com, doors will open for the invitation-only event at Rockefeller Center's Rock Center Café at 10:30 am for check-in. Draws for the $1 million Manhattan (G1), $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and the 148th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes are scheduled for noon. Connections of Belmont Stakes contenders, Met Mile contenders and Manhattan contenders are expected to attend.
Thursday, June 9
Gates Open: Admission gates open at 11 a.m.
Live Racing: Live racing commences at 1 p.m. and features three stakes races: the $200,000 Belmont Coronation Invitational, the $200,000 Astoria for 2-year-old fillies and the $150,000 Intercontinental.
Community Day: The New York Racing Association will kick off the 2016 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival by honoring local civic leaders, elected officials and organizations supporting Nassau County.
Q & A with Bob Baffert and American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat and family: Following the day's races, the connections of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will be available for a question-and-answer session in the horsemen's lounge, second floor, grandstand, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 10
Gates Open: Admission gates open at 11 a.m.
ESB Lighting Ceremony and Photo Op: 9:30 a.m., Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, N.Y., N.Y. 10118. Contact: Taylor Sims, Empire State Realty Trust, (212) 736-3100.
Live Racing: Live racing commences at 12:50 p.m. and features 11 races and five stakes races: the $500,000 New York (G2), $250,000 True North (G2), $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational, $250,000 Tremont and $150,000 Jersey Girl.
TASTE NY: A festival featuring food items and beverages made in the Empire State, ground floor, grandstand.
Food Truck Village: Many of New York's most popular food trucks will be featured at the Top of the Stretch.
Handicapping Seminar with Steve Crist: Set for 12-1 p.m. in the second floor grandstand.
Day 1, Belmont Stakes Challenge: $125,000 High Roller Handicapping Contest, second floor, clubhouse.
Maddie & Tae Concert: Following Friday's final race, a stage will be set up near the winner's circle, where fans will enjoy a performance by country music duo Maddie & Tae.
Garden City Belmont Stakes Festival: Family activities, food and fun celebrating the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes. Seventh Avenue, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. 6-10 p.m.
Saturday, June 11
Gates Open: Admission gates open at 8:30 am.
Live Racing: Live racing commences at 11:35 am and features 10 stakes races, including the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Day 2, Belmont Stakes Challenge: Final day of the $125,000 high roller handicapping contest, second floor, clubhouse.
Longines Most Elegant Woman contest: Runs from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the paddock terrace.
Live Entertainment: United States Military Academy at West Point musicians will perform the national anthem and pay tribute to servicemen and women in a special performance prior to the running of the Met Mile. Guests will also enjoy a trackside musical performance from the stars of the hit Broadway musical Beautiful. A featured performance by Daughtry is scheduled prior to the running of the Belmont Stakes.
Triple Crown jockey autograph signing: Jockeys Steve Cauthen, Ron Turcotte and Jean Cruguet will be signing autographs for fans on the first floor of the grandstand by the Secretariat mural from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Food Truck Villages: Two food truck festival areas in the Backyard and near the Top of the Stretch will feature more than 30 of the most popular New York-area trucks.
Ownership Recognition: The New York Racing Association will recognize the owners representing the second- and third-place finishers in the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes.
DAUGHTRY Concert: Following the completion of Saturday's race card, the New York Racing Association will host a special post-Belmont Stakes concert featuring DAUGHTRY. With more than eight million albums sold, the band has had four No. 1 hits and garnered four American Music Awards and Grammy nominations.
Post-Belmont Stakes Press Availabilities: A press conference will be held in the Belmont Film Theatre following the completion of the 148th Belmont Stakes. Additionally, a separate press availability with stewards will occur following the completion of the day's race card.
BSRF Championships: Awards will be given to the owner, trainer and jockey with the best overall performance throughout the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Credential Pick-Up: Media credentials for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be available for pick-up in the lobby of the Belmont Park Clubhouse between 8 a.m. and noon.
Sunday, June 12
Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival: Family activities, food, music and fun celebrating the 2016 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tulip Avenue, Floral Park, N.Y. 11001.
