Belmont Bash to Benefit Equine Research
and Backstretch Employee Services Team

VIP packages to the 2010 Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup as well a vacation in Isle of Palms, S.C., will be among the featured auction items when the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Jockey Club play host to the Belmont Bash on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at The Garden City Hotel in Garden City, N.Y.

Tickets are $300 per person and proceeds will benefit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Services Team (B.E.S.T.).

The Bash will feature cocktails, dinner, a live and silent auction, and musical entertainment by the Alex Donner Orchestra.

Among the featured auction items are:

• Belmont Stakes VIP package for four
• Breeders' Cup XXVII VIP hospitality package for four
• Vacation in a home at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, S.C.
• Glorious Food catered affair for 24 guests in your home
• Putnam Market wine tasting with oenophile William Roach

"The Belmont Bash is among the most anticipated and important events of Belmont Stakes week because it celebrates the best of racing for the benefit of charitable causes," said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. "This year, we are honored to support the health and well-being of both our equine athletes and the hard-working men and women who care for them."

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. In 2010, the foundation is allocating $889,697 for 19 research projects that address a broad spectrum of issues, including validating a laboratory process to evaluate racetrack materials with the aim of maximizing safety. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $17.1 million for 270 specific projects at 37 universities. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

The Backstretch Employee Services Team provides a full range of health and human services to support the workers in the Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga barn areas, helping them to lead healthy and full lives. Primary, preventive and urgent health care services are provided free of charge at a year-round clinic at Belmont and seasonal clinic at Saratoga. B.E.S.T. also provides assistance, advice and training on financial, vocational, educational and legal matters. Additional information about B.E.S.T. is available at bestbackstretch.com.

Additional information about the Belmont Bash is available by contacting Nancy Kelly at (212) 521-5305 or nkelly@jockeyclub.com; or Joanne Adams at (718) 659-2262 or jadams@nyrainc.com.