New York Racing Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Saratoga Wrap: Despite No Fans On-Track, Wagering Nearly Matches 2019 Figures

The New York Racing Association, Inc. successfully concluded its 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., without interruption and with all-sources handle topping $700 million for the second consecutive year.

Highlighted by Tiz the Law's dominant performance in winning the 151st running of the Grade 1, $1-million Runhappy Travers, the meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All-sources handle for the 2020 summer meet totaled $702,535,468 compared to $705,343,949 wagered from all sources on Saratoga in 2019.

Average daily handle for the 40-day meet was $17,563,387. The 2019 meet, which was run across 39 days due to the cancellation of a full card due to weather, generated average daily handle of $18,085,742.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry.

“NYRA thanks the horsemen and women as well as the entire backstretch community whose professionalism and dedication in adhering to our COVID-19 protocols enabled us to conduct our summer meet without interruption,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We would also like to thank city and county leaders for their efforts in working with us to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, and the Saratoga community for welcoming us without reservation. While the 2020 Saratoga meet was a success in many ways, it will most be remembered for the absence of our passionate fans and the irreplaceable energy that they bring to Saratoga each summer. Despite not being able to attend in person, horseplayers watched and wagered with tremendous enthusiasm, and we thank them for their continued support.”

A total of 409 races were run this summer including 226 on dirt and 183 on the turf. 32 races were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size over the 409 races was 7.4. This compares to 403 total races run in 2019, including 225 on dirt and 178 on turf. 38 were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size in 2019 was 7.9.

Klaravich Stables was the meet's leading owner with 13 wins. Trainer Todd Pletcher claimed the H. Allen Jerkens training title for the 14th time in his illustrious career with 32 wins. The Ortiz brothers battled down to the final race of the meet as Irad Ortiz, Jr. edged out Jose Ortiz 59 to 58 to claim the Angel Cordero, Jr. riding title.

NYRA Bets, the official betting partner for Saratoga Race Course, experienced significant growth during the meet. NYRA and locally-based Stewart's Shops partnered this summer to unveil a new method for fans to fund their NYRA Bets accounts through the introduction of NYRA Bets Gift Cards. Horseplayers responded enthusiastically and purchased more than 12,000 gift cards at Stewart's Shops between Opening Day and Labor Day.

During this season without spectators, fans turned to Saratoga Live, NYRA's highly-acclaimed and award-winning television program, in greater numbers than ever before. Average viewership of Saratoga Live on FS1 totaled approximately 120,000, while just under 1.3 million viewers watched the Runhappy Travers on FOX. Overall time spent viewing Saratoga Live increased by 300 percent during the more than 210 hours of live programming broadcast on FOX Sports throughout the meet.

NYRA was active on the charitable front to help support the Saratoga community during the pandemic.

NYRA Cares generated $13,380 for the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund which will distribute the money to locally-based charities and non-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce raised the funds through an online auction of items provided by NYRA as well as through donations from fans.

NYRA donated $20,000 to four Saratoga Springs charities through the sale of Saratoga Race Course-branded face masks. NYRA worked closely with Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly in selecting the beneficiaries which provide food, shelter and other critical resources. The funds were divided evenly among AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

NYRA also made good use of its popular picnic tables which went unoccupied during the season by lending them to the Saratoga Springs City School District, the City of Saratoga Springs and the village of Schuylerville to enable students and residents to enjoy outdoor dining while maintaining social distancing.

“NYRA has not only been an outstanding partner from a philanthropic standpoint, but also as a leader in the continued effort to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Kelly. “For months, we have worked closely with NYRA to ensure this year's meet would be a success despite the challenging environment. We thank NYRA for its commitment to the health and safety of all city residents this summer.”

As a not-for-profit organization, NYRA's mission is to strengthen and grow the sport of thoroughbred racing in New York state, which drives an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact, including $240 million alone in the Capital Region during a traditional Saratoga summer meet.

Live racing returns to Belmont Park on Friday, September 18 for the 27-day fall meet, which includes 38 stakes worth $5.58 million in purse money. Following opening weekend at Belmont, live racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday, with the exception of Columbus Day weekend, when live racing will be offered on Monday, October 12 and will resume on Friday, October 16. The meet runs through Sunday, November 1.

New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19.

America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Belmont Park fall meet with coverage to air on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

For more information, visit NYRA.com.

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Limited Number Of Owners Will Be Allowed To Attend Races At Belmont Park

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Friday that a limited number of licensed owners will be permitted to attend live racing at Belmont Park on the day that their horse is entered to race

To reduce density and adhere to social distancing guidelines, the size of the ownership group will be restricted to 10 individuals per horse.

All owners within the group must be in possession of a valid New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) license. Horses with identical ownership will be limited to 10 total admissions regardless of number of horses running that day.

To align with required health and safety measures implemented in New York to mitigate risk and combat the spread of COVID-19, owners will be subjected to health screening prior to entry, including a temperature check. In addition, owners will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times while on Belmont Park property.

Owners planning travel to New York from any of the states currently listed on the New York Travel Advisory are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. For additional information on the travel advisory, and a complete list of states included, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.

Owner reservations for race-day admission to Belmont Park should be sent to NYRA's Horsemen's Relations via email at horsemensrelations@nyrainc.com or by phone at 516-488-6008. NYRA will confirm all reservations via email. NYRA cannot consider or accept same day reservations.

The NYRA Office of Horsemen's Relations will begin processing reservations for opening day of the Belmont Park fall meet on Wednesday, September 16 at 10 a.m.

Licensed owners will be permitted within the Belmont Park barn area beginning on Wednesday, September 16. In order to secure access to the barn area, owners must be in possession of a valid NYSGC license and provide NYRA with a negative COVID-19 test.

Owners not previously registered to access the barn area are required to register in advance with racing administrative assistant Zerfana Khan at 718-659-2313 or zkhan@nyrainc.com beginning Wednesday, September 16.

Owners approved to enter the barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

Trainers stabled on NYRA grounds may ship stakes horses to race at facilities outside of New York state. Staff who have traveled with the horse must provide NYRA with a negative COVID-19 test taken upon their return to New York.
Trainers stabled on NYRA grounds may ship horses to run in overnight races at facilities outside of New York state provided that staff does not accompany the horse for the race. The horse may return to NYRA property only if unaccompanied by staff.

Trainers currently stabled off of NYRA grounds [outside of New York state] wishing to run in an overnight race may ship the horse to a trainer stabled at Belmont. Staff cannot accompany the horse into the Belmont barn area. Said trainer will be allowed to saddle the horse in the paddock provided he or she has provided NYRA with a negative COVID-19 test. Trainer is not permitted access to the barn area.

A separate stakes quarantine barn will be established at Barn 16 along with a separate isolated housing cottage for any staff that may accompany horses competing in stakes. A separate training period will be set up for these horses at 10:00 a.m. each day over the Belmont main track so they will train away from the Belmont population.

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NYRA Partners With Monmouth, Woodbine, Delaware For Summer’s Final Cross Country Pick 5

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host the final Cross Country Pick 5 of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, teaming with Monmouth Park, Woodbine Racetrack and Delaware Park.

Live coverage will be available with Saratoga Live on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saratoga, which offers four total graded stakes on Saturday's 12-race card, will start the Cross Country Pick 5 with the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy for sophomores going nine furlongs in Race 9 at 4:21 p.m. Eastern. Dr Post, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June, will be making his first start since running third in the Grade 1 Haskell in July at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher trainee also saw stablemate Happy Saver entered. Other contenders include Mystic Guide, Celtic Striker, Jesus' Team, Liveyourbeastlife and First Line.

Monmouth will have a full field of 3-year-olds and upward going one mile on the turf in Race 9 at 4:40 p.m. The claiming race will see trainer Timothy Hills enter a pair in Beach Traffic and Leading Factor, while Rudy Rodriguez enters King of Ranch and Michael Trombetta sends out Make a Stand.

Action will shift to Delaware Park for an allowance races for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up contesting at one mile and 70 yards on turf in Race 8 at 4:45 p.m. Trainer Michael Matz will send out La Babia, who has finished in the money in five of her last six starts.

Saratoga will host the fourth leg by featuring the Grade 2, $200,000 Prioress in Race 10 at 4:57 p.m. Reagan's Edge will look to turn the tables on Frank's Rockette in the six-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies. The two were separated by a head in the Grade 3 Victory Ride on July 4 at Belmont Park. Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown will saddle the dangerous duo of Center Aisle and Secondary Market to add to a competitive field.

The wager concludes with the fourth track to participate in the sequence, with Woodbine hosting the Grade 3, $125,000 Vigil for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the main track in Race 9 at 5:10 p.m. Pink Lloyd, trained by Robert Tiller, will look to win the race for a fourth straight year, as the 8-year-old Sovereign Award-winner and 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year will seek his 23rd career stakes win.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool.

The Cross Country Pick 5 will continue each Saturday throughout the year. For more information, visit NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, September 5:
Leg 1 – Saratoga, Race 9: G2 Jim Dandy (4:21 p.m.)
Leg 2 – Monmouth, Race 9: (4:40 p.m.)
Leg 3 – Delaware Park, Race 8: (4:45 p.m.)
Leg 4 – Saratoga, Race 10: G2 Prioress (4:57 p.m.)
Leg 5 – Woodbine, Race 9: G3 Vigil (5:10 p.m.)

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Face Mask Campaign Raises $20,000 For Saratoga Springs Non-Profits

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today presented a $20,000 donation to several non-profit organizations as a result of a joint initiative with the City of Saratoga Springs to raise funds for the community through the sale of limited-edition Saratoga Race Course face masks.

The campaign, which launched in mid-June and was immediately met with high demand from racing fans, raised a total of $20,000 which will be divided evenly between AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

NYRA worked with City of Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly to identify the program's four beneficiaries, which provide food, shelter and other critical resources during a time of increased need resulting from the coronavirus global health pandemic. A portion of proceeds from all mask sales was donated to the non-profits.

“It was great to see this level of support for a campaign that not only serves as a unique sign of the times, but benefits the collective health of the Saratoga community in so many ways,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their enthusiasm surrounding the face masks, as well as Mayor Kelly and the City of Saratoga Springs for their continued partnership and leadership.”

“We are all grateful to NYRA and the Saratoga mask initiative for helping us 'Mask Up' and raise funds for four of our local non-profits,” said Mayor Kelly. “NYRA has demonstrated once again their commitment to the safety and well-being of our entire community. When we get through this, we will be able to look back with pride on the many ways the community pulled together. NYRA's example is just one of many that make Saratoga Springs such a special place to live, work and visit.”

A limited number of three-pack sets of Saratoga face masks remain available for purchase for $24.95 at Shop.NYRA.com.

The Saratoga reusable cloth face masks come in a variety pack featuring three individual designs: a red mask with a white Saratoga logo; a white mask with a red Saratoga logo; and a navy-blue mask with a red Saratoga logo. The masks include a white border and stretchable elastic ear straps with an interior pocket for a replaceable filter.

Saratoga face masks are for personal use only; not a replacement for medical grade personal protective equipment.

Founded in 1979, AIM Services, Inc. provides residential and community-based services to people with disabilities, including individuals with traumatic brain injuries and those looking for nursing home transition or diversion. The agency provides services to individuals in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Franklin Community Center is a non-profit human service agency that has provided basic necessities and services to individuals and families in Saratoga Springs for more than 25 years. The Center serves more than 6,000 people annually through a variety of programs, including a food pantry, afterschool prevention, and safe and affordable housing.

Since 1991, Shelters of Saratoga has provided assistance to people who are facing homelessness by providing safe shelter, supportive services and sustainable strategies with the mission to end homelessness in the greater Saratoga region. Programs include emergency and case-managed shelters, outreach services, drop-in centers and affordable housing.

The SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children) provides backpacks filled with child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods to local children on weekends and when other resources aren't available. The bags are distributed weekly to all six elementary, middle and high schools in the Saratoga Springs Central School District.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Racing at Saratoga is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, September 2 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

Under New York state guidelines, Saratoga Race Course is operating without spectators in attendance.

Saratoga Live presents daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.

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