On the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, NYRA held a special ceremony prior to the start of Sunday's live racing card at Belmont Park. Ten years ago, Belmont Park served as one of the staging areas for emergency vehicles and personnel in the days following 9/11. Less than seven weeks later, on October 27, 2001, Belmont Park was the site of the first major international sporting event post-9/11 in New York when it hosted the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
At approximately 12:35 p.m. EDT, NYRA bugler Sam Grossman performed a rendition of "Taps." He was joined in the winner's circle by Nassau County Police Department Officer Tom Lesser and NYRA Peace Officer Linda Falacara, who displayed New York State's new 10th anniversary 9/11 memorial flag unveiled by Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this week. (Click for larger picture.)
The 9/11 memorial flag will be flown in the Belmont infield for the remainder of the fall meet.
NYRA also held a moment of silence to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11, followed by Grossman performing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
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