A transatlantic celebration that spans two countries and five days will commemorate the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America, culminating in a re-enactment of the inaugural race during the opening ceremonies of the 22nd Annual Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park Saturday, Oct. 29. The event will serve to highlight the historical underpinnings of New York State's role in the emergence of thoroughbred racing in the centuries that followed the staging of America's first race in 1665 on land that today is located in Garden City.

Presented by I LOVE NEW YORK and the New York Lottery, the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America will underscore the historical, cultural and political ties between Great Britain and the United States and is designed to showcase the sport as an important contributor to tourism on both sides of the Atlantic.

"This momentous anniversary will call attention to the historic role that New York played as the cradle of horse racing at a time when Belmont Park is celebrating its own centennial by hosting the Breeders' Cup, the sport's biggest one-day event and a significant draw for tourists from all corners of the globe, particularly Great Britain with its rich thoroughbred history," Charles Gargano, chairman of Empire State Development, which administers the I LOVE NEW YORK campaign, said. "The sport of horse racing in America was born on the shores of Long Island, where today Belmont Park continues to play a critical role as one of New York's and Nassau County's premier tourist attractions."

New York Lottery Director Nancy Palumbo added, "The New York Lottery is pleased to take part in the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America right here in New York State. As part of the celebration, the New York Lottery is offering five lucky New Yorkers the opportunity to witness the re-enactment of the very first horse race held 340 years ago not far from Belmont Park. The winners of the 'History and Horses' sweepstakes and their guests will also enjoy VIP seating for the Breeders' Cup, which will be held in New York for the first time in four years. We are excited to offer our players the opportunity to experience the celebration of a sport which enjoys such a longstanding tradition in New York State."

At an Oct. 13 news conference, which was held at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, actors in period costume served as the backdrop as museum historians Allan Carter and Tom Gilcoyne described the birthplace of racing and outlined plans for the re-enactment of America's first horse race.

The historical event took place on Hempstead Plain, the forerunner to today's Garden City, in the shadow of where Belmont Park now stands. After capturing the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, English Governor Richard Nicolls ordered the construction of a racetrack on Long Island and named it Newmarket after the British racing center in the county of Suffolk. The latter served as the site of the first horse race in Britain run under written rules that were authored by King Charles II, a fervent supporter of the "sport of kings." While Governor Nicolls is widely known as the man who renamed the conquered territory "New York" in honor of King Charles' brother, the Duke of York, he is no less responsible for having introduced the sport of horse racing in America.

The museum is also home to a replica of the original trophy that Governor Nicolls presented at Newmarket in 1668. The inscription on the trophy reads, "1668. runn. att. Hanpsted. plaines. march 25." The trophy, which was previewed on Thursday, will be utilized during the re-enactment of the match race on Breeders' Cup day.

More than three centuries later, Governor Nicolls' exploits will be revisited on both sides of the Atlantic in ceremonies that will take place at the original Newmarket Race Course in Britain and at Belmont Park in Elmont. The American Newmarket ceased to exist around the time of the Revolutionary War.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, a re-enactment of the original match race will mark the opening ceremonies of the Breeders' Cup. The re-enactment will feature nearly two dozen members of the Islip Horsemen's Association Long Island Drill team dressed in period costume, as well as a multitude of fanfare brass trumpeters and spectators outfitted in dress from the 17th century. In addition, the role of English Governor Richard Nicolls will be recast, as the father of American racing presents a replica trophy from 1668 to the winner of the match race. The event will be re-staged about 60 minutes prior to first post time on thoroughbred racing's biggest day of the year.

Later in the afternoon, students dressed in period costume from Garden City High School and Garden City Middle School will take part in Garden City's annual homecoming parade that kicks off at 12:30 p.m. on Seventh Street in the village.

On the eve of the Breeders' Cup, Friday, Oct. 28, Belmont Park will recognize Britain's Newmarket Race Course with a named race. Racing and community officials will also present a plaque in commemoration of the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America. The plaque will remain a permanent fixture at Belmont Park.

Also on Friday, Oct. 28, representatives from I LOVE NEW YORK and the New York Lottery will join officials from Garden City to commemorate the birthplace, or cradle, of racing by presenting a wreath on the spot where racing's rich history in Garden City is permanently celebrated with a plaque and quarter pole in the town center's park.