NYRA's Pat McKenna Shares Saratoga Update

Levack and Goz, the guys were joined by the Director of Communications for NYRA, Pat McKenna. Earlier this month Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that horse racing could officially begin in the state again without fans starting on June 1st.

What is it mean now for the Saratoga racing season this July? What precautions will the track be taking to ensure safety among employees? Plus what does it mean for the prep race season and the type of horses that will be racing this summer? Find out those answers and more below.

NYRA shared this statement in regards to the June 20th of the Belmont Stakes

To align with required health and safety measures implemented in New York to mitigate risk and combat the spread of COVID-19, the Belmont Stakes will be held without spectators in attendance.

"The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution that will provide world-class entertainment for sports fans during these challenging times," said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. "While this will certainly be a unique running of this historic race, we are grateful to be able to hold the Belmont Stakes in 2020. Thanks to our partners at NBC Sports, fans across the country can look forward to a day of exceptional thoroughbred racing at a time when entertainment and sports are so important to providing a sense of normalcy."

As the exclusive broadcast partner of the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown, NBC Sports will present three hours of live coverage from Belmont Park on Saturday, June 20 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern.
"June Saturdays at Belmont Park always offer terrific racing," said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports & NBCSN. "We're excited to return on June 20 with a three-hour broadcast featuring the 152nd Belmont Stakes."
Traditionally contested at 1 1/2-miles and held as the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes will be run at a distance of 1 1/8-miles to properly account for the schedule adjustments to the Triple Crown series and overall calendar for 3-year-olds in training.

The revised date and distance for the Belmont Stakes follows the previously announced rescheduling of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, September 5 as well as the rescheduling of the Preakness Stakes from May 16 to October 3.

What are your feelings on the adjusted Triple Crown season? Let us know by downloading the free 104.5 The Team app below