Belmont Stakes

Six members and their parents enjoyed a pair of fun and educational days at Belmont Park for the 2000 Belmont Stakes.

Members met Saralyn Cohen of the Belmont Customer Service Department on the apron and watched as horses worked out on the main track. The group examined a nearbye pony and some of the tools of the trade used on the track daily – saddles, bits, reins, horseshoes, etc. Mary Ryan, of NYRA, provided her usual in-depth highlighting of notable horses, trainers and riders as they passed.

The group visited the lovely Belmont Park backside, where they met with trainer Bobby Frankel, who spoke to the group, answered questions, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

The next stop was at trainer Carl Nafzger's barn, where members were treated to a hands-on look at a former racehorse who now serves as a pony. All members fed the horse carrots and were treated to the sight of him taking a roll in the sand under the morning sunshine. Nafzger gave a detailed history of his pony, and showed the group an action photo from one of the horse's winning races.

Trainer's Mark Hennig and Todd Pletcher welcomed the group under their shedrows and conducted tours of their racing stable. Camera's clicked as members posed with some of their favorite horses.

Jockey Aaron Gryder provided the group with a detailed explanation of a day in the life of a jockey. Aqueduct's leading rider spoke about his career, how he began and what he loves best about racing – the horse.

Saralyn Cohen then provided members with a full-scale tour of the massive Belmont grandstand. Fran LaBelle of the NYRA publicity staff introduced members to world-renown artist Robert Roche, who personally guided the group on a tour of his elegant paintings that decorate the track's interior.

Belmont Park sponsored lunch for the group in the clubhouse and kids and parents spent the rest of the afternoon 'going racing'.

Saturday, the temperature climbed into the high 90's, but that did little to dampen the spirits of KTTC's members as they enjoyed prime seats alongside Belmont's historic winner's circle. They had a great view of Commendable's upset victory and the ceremony that followed.

After the race the group visited the barn of trainer D. Wayne Lukas, and listened as he spoke with reporters. Lukas signed autographs and posed for pictures with the group as he has done with KTTC members throughout the Triple Crown trail. The kids also watched the Belmont winner, Commendable, while he munched on a post-race snack in his stall.

(Click on photo to see larger image)