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NYRA adds G1 Beverly R. Steinman to lucrative steeplechase program

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the addition of the Grade 1, $150,000 Beverly R. Steinman, a 2 3/8-mile steeplechase event for older horses to be contested Sunday, June 9 as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.

The race is named for Beverly R. “Peggy” Steinman, who has successfully balanced decades of ownership in both the steeplechase and flat racing worlds with stars such as Dark Equation, who captured the 2008 Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup, and Colstar, a multiple graded stakes-winning filly who won more than $1 million on the flat.

“The New York Racing Association is excited to incorporate a steeplechase event into the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA’s Senior Vice President of Racing and Operations. “We value the longstanding relationship that NYRA and the NSA have shared and are pleased to honor Peggy Steinman with this wonderful new event.”

Bill Gallo, the National Steeplechase Association’s (NSA) Director of Racing, said the race is a welcome addition to the steeplechase calendar.

"Peggy Steinman has represented the National Steeplechase Association at the highest level for decades, particularly at Saratoga, where her presence alone, sitting in her prominent finish-line box, has reminded people in the industry and especially at the New York Racing Association that the traditions of steeplechasing run deep," said Gallo. "This is a fitting and wonderful tribute to a very special person on an historic weekend in Saratoga. She is thrilled with the honor and looking forward to the Belmont at Saratoga Festival."

The Steinman will kick off the lucrative jumps program on the NYRA circuit which includes seven races worth a total of $825,000 in combined purses, featuring four stakes at the Saratoga summer meet topped by a pair of Grade 1, $150,000 events at 2 3/8-miles in the A. P. Smithwick Memorial on July 17 and the Jonathan Sheppard Memorial on August 14. The Spa steeplechase schedule also offers a pair of $75,000 novice stakes in the Jonathan Kiser on July 31 and the Michael G. Walsh on August 28.

Steeplechase stakes action on the NYRA circuit will conclude at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet with the Grade 1, $150,000 Lonesome Glory and the $75,000 William Entenmann novice stakes.

For more information on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, please visit BelmontStakes.com.