The voting for the first-ever Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award opens Wednesday, July 17. The presentation of the Down Broadway Award, named for the first horse to retire through the TAKE THE LEAD Program back in 2013, will highlight New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, August 15.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will host the fourth annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day, which showcases retired racehorses demonstrating the skills they’ve learned in second careers, and interviews with members of New York’s aftercare community. The $125,000 Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program, will anchor the racing card.

Seven retired Thoroughbreds have been nominated by the organizations who participate in Aftercare Day. They include a classy stakes winner of more than $800,000; a hard-knocking veteran of 79 starts who bankrolled more than $300,000; and a gelding who was not cut out for the track and went winless in 12 tries.

The winner of the Down Broadway Award will be decided by a vote of racing fans, with the voting open July 17 through August 8. Wristbands for each nominee will be given away on Aftercare Day so that fans can show their support, and the presentation of the award will be made in the Saratoga winner’s circle after the first race that day.

VOTING FOR THE DOWN BROADWAY AWARD IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A CEREMONY BEFORE THE FIRST RACE AT SARATOGA ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, AS A HIGHLIGHT OF NEW YORK THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE DAY.