NYRA launches Belmont Stakes video game

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and Horse Racing Simulation LLC have

launched an interactive horse racing simulation game that will feature four

Grade 1 races associated with Belmont Stakes Day, including the 2008 Belmont S.

(G1) in which BIG BROWN (Boundary) will continue his quest to win all three legs

of horse racing's Triple Crown. The racing game, known as Horse Racing Fantasy

"Community Edition," featuring the 140th running of the Belmont, has multiple

interactive features that include the ability to run simulations of the Belmont

with the actual contenders and their correct post positions.

As a simulation tool, it will help both experienced and novice handicappers

translate the available sophisticated and complicated numeric horse racing past

performance data into a full screen 3D visual event. In essence, it will help

bring those numbers to life.

Users can adjust the true racing characteristics of each race horse to

explore different race scenarios leading up to potential profitable wagering

strategies. The product also provides a simulated betting platform and a jockey

mode that allows race fans to see first-hand what it's like to ride a champion

thoroughbred  race horse (like Triple Crown contender Big Brown) in this

premier horse racing event.

"Horse Racing Simulation is a cutting-edge company whose goals are very much

in line with those here at the New York Racing Association," said Neema Ghazi,

director of marketing for NYRA. "The Belmont Stakes racing game they have

created is an entertaining, educational, and interactive way for fans to

experience the excitement of horse racing. We are thrilled to partner with Horse

Racing Simulation and bring this engaging product to our fans, free of charge."

"NYRA understands the importance of providing not only new educational, but

also entertaining tools to help horse racing fans of all levels become more

engaged in the great sport of horse racing," said Michael Calderone, president

of Horse Racing Simulation. "Fans can jockey their favorite race horse or can

use our platform as a powerful horse racing handicapping software tool. Based

upon the substantial success of our horse race simulation tool/game utilized for

last year's 2007 Breeders' Cup, we expect the Belmont Stakes Game to be a big

hit with the fans, especially considering all of the enhanced features and

functions we have incorporated into this horse racing game since then."

The free horse racing simulation tool/virtual horse race game

is available exclusively at NYRA's website (www.nyra.com). The following four

Grade 1 races will be available for simulation with the true race horse

contenders: the Acorn S., the Manhattan H., the Just a Game H. and the Belmont.

In addition, there will be one fantasy horse race that will include some of

the greatest champion race horses of the past in the "Dream Belmont Stakes"

race. Anyone registering for this product now will be eligible to receive all

true contender/post position upgrades once those details are known and can enjoy

3D interactive fantasy racing until then.

One of the main objectives of Horse Racing Simulation is to educate a larger

portion of horse racing's casual and potential fan base through the use of their

horse racing simulation/fantasy game platform, which parallels the real sport of

horse racing in amazing detail.

"It's encouraging to hear from our fantasy game players that they feel they

have learned a great deal about horse racing from our racing simulator/game and

are now involved in fan participation in one aspect or another at live horse

racing events," Calderone said. "That's what we hope for."

The Belmont will be held on June 7 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Television coverage will be provided by ESPN from noon until 5 p.m. (EDT) and by

ABC from 5-7 p.m. Actual contenders will be incorporated into the virtual racing

simulator following their announcement, and actual post positions will also be

incorporated once the draw is completed.

To learn more about Horse Racing Simulation and its products, visit (www.HorseRacingIsFun.com),

(www.HorseRaceGame.com), (www.SIM2WIN.com), and (www.BelmontStakesGame.com).