Derby Day is less than two weeks away, and racing fans from across the New York metropolitan area are making plans to gather at Belmont Park, New York’s home for Triple Crown horse racing on Saturday, May 2. Kicking off the 2015 Triple Crown championship series, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will host a live simulcast of the vaunted “Run for the Roses”, as well as complementing a full day of championship racing with many unique activities, including a Kentucky-themed barbecue festival and Knob Creek bourbon tasting, as well as an outdoor concert in Belmont’s vast, picturesque backyard.
“Belmont Park is New York’s favorite place to kick off the Triple Crown season, and this year we are making it better than ever,” said Lynn LaRocca, senior vice president and chief experience officer of NYRA.
The day begins with the first “Breakfast at Belmont” of the season, starting at 7 a.m. and running through 9:30 a.m. Featuring free admission and parking, the program offers an optional breakfast buffet available for $11 in the Belmont Café. Guests can watch horses and their exercise riders participate in morning workouts from the track apron. Weather permitting, guests can also take a free tram ride through the stable area, enjoy a free paddock show and participate in a free starting gate demonstration.
At 10 a.m., gates will officially open for Derby Day, with general admission available for $5. Special picnic packages, including admission, lunch and a program, are available for groups of four or more. Groups of 20 or more attending Derby Day at Belmont Park will also receive a video board welcome, as well as two free clubhouse general admission passes for the group leader to the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
Live racing commences at noon and features an extended, 13-race card. Highlights include the running of three graded stakes races: Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay, Grade 3 Fort Marcy, and the Grade 3 Westchester.
A distinctive, Kentucky-themed barbecue festival and Knob Creek bourbon tasting will excite the pallet of guests from far and wide. Featuring pulled pork, brisket, wings, baked beans and other traditional classics, all guests can enjoy a taste of the south in the comfort of Belmont’s backyard. Adult guests will also be able to enjoy samples of Knob Creek bourbon in the Paddock Terrace.
Numerous family-fun activities are planned for Derby Day at Belmont Park, featuring face painting, a bounce house and a petting zoo. Representatives of numerous local area colleges will also be on hand for Belmont’s annual College Day. Awards will be given for the delegations generating the largest turnout, as well as for participants judged best dressed.
An evening concert will also entertain guests in the Belmont backyard. Additional information on the entertainment lineup will be announced in the near future.
Racing fans will gather at Belmont and enjoy simulcasts of the 141th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, as well as the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 16. Additional information on Belmont Park, including directions, attire requirements and cooler policies can be found at www.nyra.com/belmont, or call 844-697-2849 for reserved seats and special picnic packages.
