A Breeders Cup Challenge Day at NYRA's Belmont Race track

                                                                BY DEBORAH FERGUSON

 

       Myself and two ContentMode contibutors (Carlos Ferreira TV show host and Model Annabelle Tsaboukas) were hosted by the young and extremely knowledgeable brand manager of America's Best Racing ; Victoria to enjoy a day at Belmont Race track known as the "Champion track". We were fortunate having Victoria as our host who is an enthusiastic horse racing authority, as she ensured access to areas that only horse owners,jockeys and trainers can access and offered us live insights on the various competing horses while we sipped our Champagne.

                                               A live moment at the finish line: 

                                                  http://youtu.be/vAcNyXglLeo

 

Pre-Race in the paddocks with : Annabelle Tsaboukas and Carlos Ferreira

     Our day was a long adrenaline rush as were seated in the NYRA VIP box to view; Breeders' Cup Challenge races.  While in our box with a view we had lunch, a small TV screen to place our bets while enjoyed the privilege of seeing Internationally established horse owners and trainers celebrate as their horses and jockey's were winning and moving onto the infamous "Breeders Cup" ( Known as the Olympics of horse Racing).

   I was pleasantly suprised about how large and elegant Belmont is and it's picturesque location in L.I. NY, only having ever been to the Royal Ascot  Horse races in England. Unlike England the dress code is a bit more casual unless  of course you attend the Breeders Cup, Kentucky Derby and a Spring Summer race at Belmont or Saratoga. In contrast to the dress code; Horse racing is one of the most affordable established highly competitive sports event to attend. You can dress up, dress down, socialize in VIP areas,or simply place your bets and have a casual lunch. 

      Highlights:  Before the races we were escorted to the private paddock area ( dedicated to the infamous horse Secretariat ) inwhich we were able to meet some of the horse owners, trainers and watch the competing horses elgantly and calmly walk with their jockeys and trainers out to the competitve race track zone. I was very intrigued by the contrast of the horse remaining calm in the private paddock area then suddenly excited and hyper by the time it arrived on the track.

   Races: we watched the $500,000 Champagne Stakes and the $500,000 Frizette. A horse by the name of "DareDevil" ridden by Jockey Javier Castellano won the Champagne Stakes and trained by Todd Pletcher. And the other exciting race of the day was the Frizette which horse "By The Moon " won ridden by jockey Jose Portiz and trained by Michelle Nevin. In terms of our betting; collectively the three of us won about $12 as we were not competive or savvy at betting only at admiring the horse speed from our seats above the finish line.   Both of these winning jockeys respectively recieved "automatic birth" into The Breeders Cup races.  Belmont Race Track is part of the Triple Crown circuit and has hosted some of the world's most successful horses, trainers and jockeys.  

   What was also impressive is not only the history of Belmont Race track which opened in 1909, which was a time in which noteworthy politicians and famous patrons attended races ; but we were able to view the same track in which the infamous horse Secretariat set world records winning the triple crown record.

 I will confirm attending Horse Races at Belmont is accessible unique way to be relax at a high profile competitive sport and enjoy a sit down lunch with a view and mingle with alot of interesting people who often do not come together at other sporting events. And of course it's an excellent excuse to dress up in hat and a frock and sip champagne.

   As it's now off season you can still experience the race track over the long weekend as Belmont is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner event on Nov 27th at their upscale restaurant The Equestris located  on the 3rd floor of the Aqueduct Clubhouse that has a stunning view of the finish line. 

For more info aboutat NYRA’s Belmont Race Track and the thanksgiving dinner:

http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/information/dining/

 

Model: Annabelle Tsaboukas hat and RTW look provided by

http://www.federicamorettihandmade.com

http://www.mantu.it