1 week Ago By Pat McKenna NYRA Communications, Mark Bardack
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York Racing Association, Inc.
(NYRA) announced Monday the debut of “The Bel-Mint Stakes,” a tribute version of Mint Cookie Crumble ice cream rebranded by Stewart’s Shops just in time for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.The Bel-Mint Stakes will be available at more than 175 Stewart’s Shops ice cream counters for a limited time only beginning Monday, April 28, through Sunday, June 8, in honor of the 157th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets at historic Saratoga Race Course.Highlighted by the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be conducted at Saratoga Race Course from Wednesday, June 4, through Sunday, June 8.
The festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014.The fitting name for the featured Stewart’s Shops ice cream was chosen by fans in an online poll conducted by NYRA in March. The Bel-Mint Stakes flavor profile features green mint ice cream with a chocolate cookie crumble swirl, aligning the sweet treat with the green-themed color scheme of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.
“NYRA thanks Stewart’s Shops for celebrating the start of the Triple Crown season with a scoop of its popular ice cream named in honor of the Belmont Stakes,” said NYRA Vice President and Director of Communications Pat McKenna in a news release. “Stewart’s Shops is the ideal one-stop shop for Belmont Stakes general admission passes, NYRA Bets gift cards, and now Bel-Mint Stakes ice cream as we look forward to another exciting summer at Saratoga Race Course.”Ceremonial Belmont Stakes ice cream flavor plus general admission passes and NYRA Bets gift cards now on-sale at Stewart’s Shops (PHOTO PROVIDED VIA NYRA COMMUNICATIONS)“Stewart’s and Saratoga Race Course have worked closely for many years,” said Stewart’s Chief Operating Officer Chad Kiesow.
“It is exciting to expand our partnership to celebrate the Belmont Stakes, an event that brings so many racing fans and so much energy to the community.”In addition to enjoying a scoop or pint of The Bel-Mint Stakes, fans can secure a three-day general admission pass for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at more than 175 participating area Stewart’s Shops.The $99 pass includes admission to Saratoga Race Course for three of the five days of the Racing Festival: Thursday, June 5; Friday, June 6; and Belmont Stakes Day, on Saturday, June 7.
Available exclusively at Stewart’s Shops, while supplies last, the pass represents a savings of 15 percent based on individual day pricing. It provides access to hundreds of free picnic tables located in the backyard of Saratoga Race Course as well as walk-around access to most areas of the track.Fans who purchase the Belmont Stakes Festival pass at Stewart’s Shops can take advantage of a special add-on savings to include admission for all four days of the July 4th Racing Festival for just $20.
Typically held at Belmont Park, the July 4th Racing Festival will be conducted at Saratoga from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, and will serve as the prelude to the 40-day summer meet.To complete the Stewart’s Shops trifecta, NYRA Bets gift cards are now available to bet the Triple Crown beginning with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, as well as all of the exciting horse racing action from Saratoga. They will remain on sale at Stewart’s Shops through Sunday, August 31.
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