As many as 10 students from Garden City High School and Garden City Middle School will play a central casting role in the re-enactment of America's first horse race, which will serve as the opening ceremonies for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park this Saturday, Oct. 29.

The re-enactment will culminate a transatlantic celebration that traces the roots of American racing back to 1665 at Newmarket Race Course on Long Island. Named after the famed British racetrack, Newmarket was founded by the first English governor of New York, Richard Nicolls, on land that is part of modern-day Garden City.

The students from the village's high school and middle school will play the role of spectators dressed in period costume from the 17th century, while Garden City High School Principal Hank Hardy will be cast in the role of Governor Nicolls. Hardy will present a replica trophy that is housed at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs to the winner of the match race, a truncated version of the original race that stretched over 16 furlongs, or two miles.

Presented by I LOVE NEW YORK and the New York Lottery, the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America underscores 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.

In addition to the students and principal, 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. The event will get under way at approximately 10:45 a.m., a little more than an hour prior to first post time on Breeders' Cup day - Thoroughbred racing's biggest day of the year.

This Friday, Oct. 28 - the eve of the Breeders' Cup - the students and Principal Hardy will join representatives from I LOVE NEW YORK and the New York Lottery, along with officials from Garden City, to commemorate the birthplace 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. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the village gazebo.

Earlier Friday afternoon, at 1:30 p.m., Belmont Park racing officials will present a plaque to commemorate the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America. The presentation is currently scheduled to take place in the Paddock, where the plaque will remain a permanent fixture.

"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.

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. 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."

Admission to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is general admission, $10; clubhouse admission, $25. Parking fees include $25 for preferred (limited availability) and $10 for general parking. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit nyra.com.