An Old Favorite Delights Young and Old Railbirds Alike

Children of all ages are sure to delight in watching Thoroughbreds train in their early morning workouts before races begin each day. Beginning May 3rd and continuing every weekend throughout the meet, the always anticipated "Breakfast at Belmont" features an optional continental breakfast spread and several events designed to give an insider perspective into the sport of kings. 

Beginning at 7 A.M. and lasting until 9:30 A.M., patrons are invited to watch horses during morning workouts while they dine on various breakfast items such as pancakes, and eggs and coffee and tea. While they eat, famed horsewoman and retired NYRA race analyst, Mary Ryan treats patrons to an informative session detailing everything from how horses are trained to how they are timed in a workout. Those looking to get their feet wet to the horse world will not be disappointed as Ms. Ryan also discusses colors of the horse, types of equipment used and the sport's most famous racehorses. 

Also featured is a paddock show, backstretch tram tour and starting gate demonstration. The paddock show features a live horse and a short introduction into a day in the life of a racehorse. Detailed is the pre-race routine, race preparation and the equipment worn. Patrons are invited to pet the pony horse that will be in the paddock during the show. 

Perhaps the highlight of the show is the fifteen minute long backstretch tram tour that takes patrons on a first-hand look at life on the backstretch. There, patrons will see horses being walked in the shed-row, bathed and grazed as they prepare for the days races. Belmont's famed backstretch is home to an astounding sixty-one barns which has the capacity to stable 2,200 horses at any given time.

Concluding the Breakfast at Belmont Park is the starting gate demonstration where patrons are invited to load into the starting gate by a certified gate starter.

Breakfast at Belmont is every weekend (starting May 3rd) and holiday for the meet except for Saturday, June 7th (Belmont Stakes day). Parking and admission are free. For more information or directions, please call 516-488-6200 or e-mail suggestionsmail@nyrainc.com. 

         

Under the Giving Tree

Elmont, N.Y.--A tree grows in Belmont Park. Forty-five trees have been donated by the New York Racing Association to the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) to help raise funds for Anna House, a child care center located at Belmont Park. Anna House offers programs for the children of backstretch workers age six weeks to five years.

Mature varieties of Oaks, Elms and Maples will be available for purchase for $100.00. Included in a person's donation is a certificate of patronage and a commemorative card in recognition of their gift. A personalized plaque is also available for an additional $60.00.

The trees will be planted around Belmont Park with one tree to be planted in the children's garden at Anna House in memory of owner-breeder Richard  Bomze (Fourstardave and Fourstarallstar) who passed away on March 11th after a lengthy battle with emphysema. Mr. Bomze was a staunch supporter of Anna House, having made contributions since it's founding in 2002.

Anna House is open all year round from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. which coincides with the typical work schedule of backstretch employees. Catering to approximately seventy children, Anna House offers a variety of early childhood education programs in reading, writing, math and science. Also offered is day care and after-school tutoring for students in elementary and middle school.

Belmont Park, owned and operated by the New York Racing Association is the first racetrack in North American to offer a facility such as Anna House to its backstretch employees.

For more information on how you might purchase a tree or make a donation to the Belmont Child Care Association please call 516-488-2103