NYRA sets BEL Spring/Saratoga stake schedules

[Alan07]

Edited Press Release:
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the stakes schedules for the 2011 Belmont Park spring/summer meet and the 2011 Saratoga Race Course meet.

As always, the Belmont spring/summer meet is highlighted by the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes. The 1 1⁄2-mile “Test of the Champion,” which serves as the culminating event in racing’s Triple Crown will be held on Saturday, June 11, as the pinnacle of an all-star stakes card that includes the Grade 1, $400,000 Manhattan Handicap for older horses on the turf, the Grade 1, $400,000 Just a Game for fillies and mares on the turf, the Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn for 3-year-old fillies, and a pair of sprints in the Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap for older horses at six furlongs and the Grade 2, $250,000 Woody Stephens for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs.

The Saratoga Meet, which kicks off for the 143rd time on Friday, July 22, is punctuated by 17 Grade 1 races beginning with the $250,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on opening weekend.

In addition to the historic Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday, July 23, opening weekend at Saratoga also features a terrific slate of races including the Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies on Friday, July 22, the Grade 2, $150,000 Sanford for 2-year-olds on Sunday, July 24, and the Evan Shipman, a $75,000 stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up on Monday, July 25.