Broadway's BEAUTIFUL, Daughtry Head to the Races at Belmont Stakes Today

The New York Racing Association announced today that multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated recording artist DAUGHTRY will headline the entertainment lineup for the 2016 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will include a special performance from the smash hit Broadway musical BEAUTIFUL - The Carole King Musical as well as a previously announced performance from Country music stars MADDIE & TAE.

Highlighted by the 148th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million dollar Belmont Stakes, the oldest and most challenging leg of horse racing's vaunted "Triple Crown", tickets for the three-day mega-event are available through Ticketmaster.com, which begins on Thursday, June 9, 2016, and concludes today, June 11, 2016.

Led by lead singer Chris Daughtry, DAUGHTRY has scored four No. 1 hits, garnered four Grammy nominations, won four American Music Awards, sold over 8 million albums, 18 million singles worldwide and sold out concerts around the world. The popular band will perform a short set between the Grade 1 Manhattan and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11. Immediately following the conclusion of the day's live racing schedule, DAUGHTRY will leading a special, post-race concert near Belmont's winner's circle.

Fans will also enjoy a trackside performance from the highly-acclaimed Broadway hit BEAUTIFUL on Belmont Stakes Day. Winner of two Tony Awards and the Grammy Award Winner for "Best Musical Theater Album" of 2015, BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of Carole King's remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. The show is still playing to sold out crowds on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, where it's now in its third smash year.

DAUGHTRY and BEAUTIFUL join the full Belmont Stakes Racing Festival's entertainment line-up, which previously included a special, Friday evening concert led by the popular female Country Music duo MADDIE & TAE. Nominated for "Vocal Duo of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music Awards, the recording artists journeyed to the top of the charts for their hit "Girl in a Country Song" and are known for a strong, growing and highly-passionate fan base.

This line-up also features a special performance from the U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY (USMA) at West Point, who will perform the National Anthem on Saturday, and later conduct a special musical tribute to the men and women of the USMA just prior to the running of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile, later that afternoon.

"The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is New York's kick-off to the summer season, and the addition of DAUGHTRY and the Broadway hit BEAUTIFUL to this year's entertainment lineup will make this year's mega-event even more enjoyable and memorable," stated New York Racing Association Chief Executive Officer and President Chris Kay. "Tickets for our three-day festival of world-class entertainment, premium hospitality and championship racing are selling rapidly, and we strongly encourage our horseplayers and fans to visit Ticketmaster.com, and secure their tickets now."

For the first time, fans purchasing reserved seat tickets through Ticketmaster.com are be able to digitally preview their seat location and sightlines, while comparing sections from the comfort of their own home. This new technology will further improve the ticket selection process for 2016. Additionally and new for 2016, NYRA is offering fans the option of two advance, three-day festival passes offering additional savings throughout the event.

The 2016 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival includes three days of celebration:

Thursday, June 9

The kickoff of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will occur on Thursday, June 9, featuring a full race card which includes 3 stakes races. More information on Thursday's schedule will be announced in the future.

Friday, June 10

The second day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will feature 6 stakes races, including two graded stakes. The day will conclude with a special Belmont Stakes Eve concert.

Following Friday's final race, a stage will be set up near the winner's circle, where fans will enjoy a performance by the popular female Country Music duo MADDIE & TAE. Nominated for "Vocal Duo of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music Awards, the recording artists journeyed to the top of the charts for their hit "Girl in a Country Song" and are known for a strong, growing and highly-passionate fan base.

Walk-up general admission for Friday, June 10, will be $15 for non-NYRA Rewards members and $10 for NYRA Rewards members until 3 p.m. Walk-up general admission after 3 p.m. Friday, June 10, will be $30. NYRA Rewards members must present their rewards card at time of entry. Friday's performance by MADDIE & TAE is included with paid admission.

Tickets can also be purchased in advance through BelmontStakes.com. Tickets for Grandstand reserved seats, which include admission, will be available for $25. More information on Friday's schedule will be announced in the future.

Belmont Stakes Day: Saturday, June 11

The third and final day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 11. The day will feature 10 stakes races, including 9 graded stakes. It will be anchored by the 148th running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes; the oldest and most challenging leg of horse racing's "Triple Crown".

Scheduled entertainment for Saturday, June 11 includes U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY (USMA) Band musicians, who will perform the National Anthem to start the day's entertainment. They will also conduct a special musical tribute to the men and women of the USMA just prior to the running of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile, later that afternoon.

Fans will also enjoy a performance from the highly-acclaimed Broadway hitBEAUTIFUL - The Carole King Musical on Belmont Stakes Day. Winner of two Tony Awards and the Grammy Award Winner for "Best Musical Theater Album" of 2015, BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of Carole King's remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. The show is still playing to sold out crowds on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, where it's now in its third smash year.

Saturday's main musical performance will feature DAUGHTRY, which has scored four No. 1 Top 40 hits ("It's Not Over, "Home," "Feels Like Tonight," and "No Surprise"), earned four Grammy Award nominations (including "Best Rock Album" for DAUGHTRY), and won four American Music Awards.

The popular band will perform a short set between the Grade 1 Manhattan and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11. Immediately following the conclusion of the day's live racing schedule, DAUGHTRY will leading a special, post-race concert near Belmont's winner's circle.

Additional information will be offered in the future regarding the Belmont Stakes Draw, in addition to transportation, security and additional events and activities planned for the week of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

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