New York Racing Association

Sweet Seventeen Narrow Choice In Busher
Monday, February 20, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Graham Motion Sweet Seventeen, who missed scoring her first stakes victory by a neck in last month’s Busanda, returns to Aqueduct Racetrack for another attempt Saturday afternoon when she heads a field of seven 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Busher. Trained by H. Graham Motion for Mrs. John Oxley, Sweet Seventeen set the pace as the favorite in the one-mile, 70-yard Busanda on January 7 but was caught in the late stages by Captivating Lass... more

Big Win For Law Enforcement In Hollie Hughes
Monday, February 20, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Law Enforcement Law Enforcement recorded his first win in 2 ½ years on Monday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, coming from off the pace to take the 34th running of the $75,000 Hollie Hughes for New York-breds. Five lengths behind the field as Freudian Dilemma and Bug Juice dueled through an opening quarter-mile in 22.33... more

Marilyn’s Guy Overcomes Layoff And Troubled Start In As Indicated Overnight Stakes Photo
Saturday, February 18, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Marilyn's Guy Marilyn’s Guy, making his first start in nearly 11 months, out-battled favored San Pablo in a lengthy stretch duel to take Aqueduct Racetrack’s $75,000 As Indicated overnight stakes by a nose on Saturday. Following a tardy start, Marilyn’s Guy raced unhurried in fifth as he trailed the field through an opening quarter-mile in 24.53... more

NYRA Announces New Policies To Augment Industry-Leading Safety And Integrity Standards
Friday, February 17, 2012
By Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced two new policies that will augment the organization’s already industry-leading safety and integrity standards. The first is a new house rule which states “The director of racing or the chief examining veterinarian has the right to refuse the entry of any horse with which they have any nature of concern...” more

Davis Finding Stride On Inner Track
Thursday, February 16, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Jackie Davis Jackie Davis is not new to Aqueduct Racetrack. She won the first race of her career at the Big A on November 5, 2008 aboard 64-1 Blue Hill Bay, and she grew up visiting the track where her father, jockey Robbie Davis, rode 1,297 of his 3,382 winners. While Davis has ridden at Aqueduct each of the past three winters, she has been especially visible during the 2011-2012 inner track meet, with a record of 9-6-16 from 100 mounts... more

Dominguez Widens Lead In Jockey Standings With 5-Win Wednesday
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Ramon Dominguez Two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner Ramon Dominguez continued to widen his lead in the Aqueduct Racetrack inner-track jockey standings by bringing home five winners on Wednesday, including a sweep of the final three races. Dominguez began the afternoon by piloting Fiscal Stimulus ($7.40) in race 1 and returned to the winner’s circle following race 4 aboard favored What’s the Record ($3.20)... more

Sweet Victory For Singlet In Dearly Precious
Saturday, February 11, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Singlet Singlet was tested for class Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack and came away a winner, taking the 18th running of the $75,000 Dearly Precious by a hard-fought neck over Corderosa. Leaving from the outside, the Real Quiet filly raced alongside Well Kept as they tracked Corderosa through an opening quarter-mile in 23.47 seconds and a half in 47.15... more

Four-Time NYRA Leading Trainer Pletcher Records 3000th Win
Saturday, February 11, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Five-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher reached a personal milestone today when he sent out his 3,000th career winner at Gulfstream Park. Pletcher, who earned his second straight training title on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit in 2011... more

NYRA Notes: Champion Hansen’s next race will be Gotham
Saturday, February 11, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Hansen Hansen, 2011’s Eclipse champion 2-year-old male, will make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham, run at 1 1/16 miles over the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, March 3, according to Dr. Harvey Diamond, founder and racing manager of Skychai Racing, part-owner of Hansen along with Dr. Kendall Hansen. “We felt that the Gotham was a good spot and the timing was excellent,” Diamond said... more

Five-Win Friday For Alvarado At Big A
Friday, February 10, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Junior Alvarado Junior Alvarado brought home five winners on Friday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, including four straight, to move into third place in the jockey standings with 53 winners for the inner-track meet. The 25-year-old Alvarado started his day by winning the first race, a six-furlong claimer, aboard Pretty Cozzy ($11)... more

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Is Launched
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Contact: Eric Wing

A broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced today the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)—an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities... more

NYRA Notes
Sunday, February 5, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Alpha Sporting a brand-new New York Giants cap in honor of their appearance in tonight’s Super Bowl XLVI, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported this morning that Alpha returned from his Withers CXXXII victory in good order and would likely take the next step to the Kentucky Derby in New York. more

Alpha Gets An “A” In Withers Win
Saturday, February 4, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Alpha Alpha took a big step along the road to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, drawing clear to an emphatic 3 ¼-length victory as the 1-5 favorite in the Grade 3, $200,000 Withers for 3-year-olds. Leaving from the outside in the field of six, the Bernardini colt was floated wide on the first turn but then settled in about two lengths behind pacesetter How Do I Win as he led through an opening quarter-mile... more

Calibrachoa Makes Another Winning Run In Toboggan
Saturday, February 4, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Calibrachoa Calibrachoa stalked longshot pacesetter Diski Dance and drove past that opponent in the stretch to post a repeat victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. Part of a coupled entry that went off as the 2-5 favorite, the Repole Stable representative bobbled at the start but recovered to track Diski Dance through fractions of 23.35 and 46.07... more

Nicole H Flawless In Correction
Saturday, February 4, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Nicole H Nicole H extended her inner-track unbeaten streak to four Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, splitting horses in the stretch and going on to a 2 ½-length victory in the 72nd running of the $100,000 Correction Stakes. Tracking in third along the rail as Winning Image was stalked by Golden Mystery through an opening quarter-mile in 23.18 and a half in 46.78... more

New York Watch: The Lumber Guy
Saturday, February 4, 2012
By Jon Forbes

The Lumber Guy The Lumber Guy was more than OK on January 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack as he skipped and jumped clear to a 9 ¼-length debut victory against eight maiden New York-bred 3-year-olds... more

Withers Day to Include $98k Double Pick 6 Carryover
Friday, February 3, 2012
By Jon Forbes

The Saturday Pick 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack will feature a $98,922 double Pick 6 carryover and three stakes, including the 132nd running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Withers. The sequence begins with race 5, which has a scheduled post time of 2:13. The Withers, the fifth leg of the Pick 6, is headed by Godolpin Racing’s Alpha, who looks to post consecutive stakes victories at the Big A, having taken the Count Fleet on January 7 ... more

NYRA Paddock Analyst Maggie Wolfendale Joins Twitter
Friday, February 3, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Maggie Wolfendale Maggie Wolfendale, paddock analyst for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), has joined Twitter and will share her paddock observations using the handle: @MaggieWolfndale and the hashtags #belmont, #saratoga, and #aqueduct depending on the track to which the tweet pertains. ... more

McClain Honored as One of Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal
Friday, February 3, 2012
By Dan Silver

Ellen McClain Ellen McClain, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), has been named one of 2012’s “25 Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal (TNJ). “It is a wonderful honor to be named to this list by The Network Journal,” said McClain, ... more

Plans In The Works For Inaugural Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5 Kilometer Run For Prostate Cancer
Thursday, February 3, 2012
Contact: Mike Polansky

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Long Island Running Club and Integrated Medical Foundation are joining forces to stage the inaugural Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon 5 Kilometer Run for Prostate Cancer. . The Run will be held on Sunday evening, June 3, 2012 at Belmont Park, with NYRA’s Sam Grossman “Sam the Bugler” calling everyone to the post at 7:15 PM... more

NYRA’S Joanne Adams To Be Honored By Kidney And Urology Foundation Of America
Thursday, February 2, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

Joanne Adams Joanne Adams, Director of Community Relations for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), will be honored by the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America (KUFA) at its inaugural “Top 25 Champions for a Cure” Reception Benefit on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The awards reception, hosted by The Woodlands Country Club, Woodbury, N.Y, will honor 25 individuals who have advocated in search of a cure for prostate cancer and/or kidney disease... more

Dominguez Reclaims Outright Lead In Jockey Standings Following 4-Win Wednesday At Big A
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Ramon Dominguez Ramon Dominguez reclaimed the lead in the Aqueduct Racetrack inner-track jockey standings by winning four races on Wednesday. Fourth in race 1 and without a mount in race 2, Dominguez picked up his first winner in race 3 when he guided Ms. Bird Watch ($3.70) to victory and capped his own rolling $22.20 Double with a score in race 4 aboard Princess Mara ($10.60)... more

NYRA Notes
Sunday, January 29, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Redding Colliery Assistant trainer Artie Magnuson reported that “everything is great in Barn 11” following Redding Colliery’s victory in the $75,000 Evening Attire, one of a trio of victories on Saturday for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin at Aqueduct Racetrack. “That was really special,” said Magnuson of Redding Colliery, who was making only his second start in 14 months... more

NYRA To Offer New $150K Guaranteed Late Pick 4 On Fridays At Aqueduct
Sunday, January 29, 2012
By Jon Forbes

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a new $150,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack beginning this Friday, February 3, and continuing through April 20, the final Friday of the meet. The Late Pick 4 spans the final four races on the card and requires bettors to select four consecutive winners... more

Love And Pride The Queen Of The Affectionately
Saturday, January 28, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Love And Pride Love and Pride took control at the start and never looked back in the $75,000 Affectionately for fillies and mares, running away to a 7 ½-length victory over Bahia Beach on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. Leaving from post position 1, Love and Pride quickly secured the lead in the opening strides and was taken in hand by jockey Cornelio Velasquez to set fractions of 24.92, 49.41, and 1:13.54... more

Redding Colliery Looks Sharp In Evening Attire
Saturday, January 28, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Redding Colliery Tested at top of the stretch by 4-5 favorite I Want Revenge, the front-running Redding Colliery battled back along the inside and went on to a two-length victory Saturday afternoon in the $75,000 Evening Attire at Aqueduct Racetrack. Making only his second start in 14 months, the 6-year-old son of Mineshaft went straight to the lead under jockey Alan Garcia and set comfortable fractions of 23.87, 47.81 and 1:11.63 seconds with the favorite in close pursuit... more

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Unveils New York Retraining Program
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Contact: Ashley Herriman; Andy Belfiore

Organizations from every corner of the Thoroughbred industry have come together to support a new program created by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to develop second careers for horses racing at New York Racing Association tracks. The program, forged from a $225,000 start-up grant from the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation, will provide rehabilitation and retraining for as many as 100 horses a year... more

NYRA Notes
Friday, January 27, 2012
By NYRA Press Office

Alpha Godolphin Racing’s promising sophomore Alpha will likely turn in a work for next Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes Sunday or Monday at Belmont Park. A comfortable winner of the Count Fleet at the Big A on January 7 despite some gate trouble, Alpha has been schooling in the gate regularly since the race and will continue that work this week in preparation for 1 1/16-mile Withers, said Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin... more

Apprentice Jockey Profile: Jose I. Rodriguez
Friday, January 27, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Jose I. Rodriguez It may be the middle of winter in New York City, but for apprentice jockey Jose I. Rodriguez, being able to ride at Aqueduct Racetrack these days is a dream come true. “When I was growing up in Puerto Rico, we used to listen to the races on the radio,” said Rodriguez, 21, shortly after winning Thursday’s fourth race aboard D’ Sauvage for his fourth victory of the inner track meet... more

NYRA Statement Regarding New York State Comptroller Audit Report And Press Release
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
By Dan Silver

The following is a statement regarding the Audit Report 2011-F-16 and the corresponding press statement released by the Office of the New York State Comptroller on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) took very seriously the recommendations ... more

Inherit The Gold Adds Haynesfield Stakes To Big A Tally
Sunday, January 22, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Inherit The Gold Inherit the Gold made his eighth appearance in the Aqueduct Racetrack winner’s circle on Sunday, coming from off the pace to post a 6 ¼-length victory in the $75,000 Haynesfield for New York-breds 4-years-old and up. The 6-year-old gray gelding settled 3 ½ lengths behind the pacesetter in fourth, ahead of just one horse, the slow-starting Spa City Fever, through opening fractions of 23.44 and 48.42... more

NYRA Apprentice Jockey Profile: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Friday, January 20, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Irad Ortiz, Jr. Apprentice Irad Ortiz, Jr. has a long way to go if he wants to emulate famous Puerto Rican jockeys Eddie Belmonte, Angel Cordero, Jr., and John Velazquez, but winning 70 races from 630 mounts on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit in 2011 was a pretty good start. Originally from Trujillo Alto in Puerto Rico, Ortiz is a graduate of that country’s Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school for prospective jockeys. His grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, was a jockey, and so is his uncle, Ivan Ortiz... more

Havre de Grace Led Champions Who Took New York Road to Eclipse Honors
Wednesday, January 20, 2012
By Jenny Kellner

Havre de Grace Led by 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, a number of horse racing’s newest champions turned in outstanding performances on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit en route to being honored with Eclipse Awards Monday night in Beverly Hills, Calif. ... more

King and Crusader Conquers Jimmy Winkfield On Short Rest
Monday, January 16, 2012
By Ashley Herriman

King and Crusader King and Crusader, winner of a one-mile optional claimer at Aqueduct Racetrack on Friday, bounced back quickly to take Monday’s $75,000, six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield Stakes. Patiently ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, King and Crusader sat a wide trip in third through opening fractions of 22.48 and 45.42 set by favored Yo Koffy who was pressed by Deliburnsky... more

Havre de Grace’s Woodward Voted NYRA’S ‘Race Of The Year’
Monday, January 16, 2012
By Jon Forbes

Havre de Grace Fans have voted the 2011 Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, in which Havre de Grace became the second female to win the race in its 58-year history, as The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) Race of the Year. Havre de Grace’s Woodward received 37 percent of the vote, with the Foxwoods King’s Bishop, won narrowly by Caleb’s Posse over Uncle Mo, checking in second with 23 percent... more

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