New York Racing Association

Frank Gabriel, who has served as the New York Racing Association's Sr. Vice President of Racing Operations since 2022, has resigned, effective Feb. 18, it was announced Thursday. Andrew Offerman will succeed Gabriel as NYRA's Sr. Vice President of Racing and Operations. "On behalf of NYRA and the broader racing community in New York, I thank Frank Gabriel for his many contributions to NYRA and to Thoroughbred racing," said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. "Because of Frank's hard work during a period of great transition, NYRA continues to be...

The stakes schedule for the 2024 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which will open Thursday, May 2, will include 32 stakes worth more than $6.6 million in total purses, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Tuesday. As announced in December, the ongoing construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park will require significant adjustments to the customary NYRA schedule. Most notably, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at Saratoga Race Course from June 6-9. In addition, the spring/summer and fall meets traditionally held...

Highlighted by the 156th edition of the GI Belmont S. on Saturday, June 8, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has revealed the stakes schedule for the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at Saratoga Race Course from Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9. The 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will include 23 stakes races with purses totaling $10.1 million, the highest purse levels and number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014. NYRA has increased the...

The year 2023 was a pretty rough one for the sport of horse racing, and there was little to suggest that this year would be any different. The sport seems to be caught in a downward spiral as we move from one crisis to another and are left to wonder "what next?" So far this year, the answer to that question is that maybe things will be better in 2024 than we might have thought. There have been several recent positive developments for the sport, many of them having to...

Andy Belfiore will be returning as the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's executive director, effective Jan. 7, the organization announced Tuesday. "Andy has a wealth of experience in all facets of the racing industry," said newly elected NYTHA President Tina Bond. "In addition to her knowledge base, Andy's devotion to equine welfare and aftercare are especially crucial in this period of our sport. We are very pleased that she will be rejoining the NYTHA team." Belfiore started her career in racing on the backstretch at Belmont Park, working as a...

Linda Rice saddled her 165th winner of 2023 to set the record for most victories in a year on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack. "It's a tough number to get to. I think about how we're starting over at one tomorrow," said Rice, with a laugh. "It's just been an incredible year. I'm really excited and I just hope we can do something that will compare going forward. That's a high bar to set." With George's Vice (Unified)'s win in Sunday's second race, Rice...

Tina Marie Bond, who previously served as co-vice president of the organization, has been elected to her first term as president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "I am honored to be chosen as the next president of NYTHA," said Bond. "It is an important time for our industry and the future of horse racing. I look forward to working with NYRA and the New York breeders to continue the great work of keeping New York racing at the top of our industry. We have the best owners, the...

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has done it again, announcing Saturday that it has reduced the number of graded stakes races that will be run in the U.S. in 2024, while also downgrading 30 races. To most, this is a welcome development. With the foal crop continually declining, there should be fewer graded stakes races and fewer Grade I's. Many believe that the committee has not gone far enough. Yet, the announcement, as it always seems to do, did not come without a...

The New York Islanders, in partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey, have announced the opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800 square foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community. With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages. The first rink, named the Northwell Pond, boasts a sheet of natural ice....

America's Day at the Races, the national telecast produced by New York Racing Association in partnership with FOX Sports, will expand its coverage of racing from Oaklawn Park when the Arkansas track opens for its 2023-24 meet Friday. As part of a multi-year agreement, America's Day at the Races will feature daily analysis and handicapping of Oaklawn Park racing as well on-site coverage from NYRA television personalities throughout opening weekend, Smarty Jones weekend, Rebel weekend, Arkansas Derby weekend, Apple Blossom weekend and Oaklawn H. weekend. Live racing returns to Oaklawn...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)'s annual Toys for Tots day of giving will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The event is a longtime holiday tradition at the Big A held annually on Cigar Mile Day and offered in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation. Founded in 1947, Toys for Tots collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to local children in need each holiday season. Fans in attendance on Saturday can find donation boxes located at the Turf and Field entrance...

Following months of heavy rain, the New York Racing Association will reduce the number of turf races offered at the Aqueduct Fall Meet. A total of 13 races will be moved to the main track from Nov. 9 through 19, which covers the final eight days of the current condition book. There will be a reduction of two turf races (races four and nine) on the 9th, three on the 10th (two, three and five), one on the 11th (race four) and 12th (race nine), three on the 16th (one,...