Foreground - Students from Garden City High School and Middle School Background (L. to R.): Garden City Administrator Bob Schoelle; Garden City H.S. Principal Hank Hardy as New York's first governor; Newmarket Race Course Managing Director Lisa Hancock; I LOVE NEW YORK International Marketing Dir., N.Y.S., Markly Wilson; New York Lottery Director Nancy Palumbo; and Garden City Mayor Gerard Lundquist On Friday, October, 28 - the eve of the Breeders' Cup - Garden City High School Principal Hank Hardy and students from Garden City High School and Middle School gathered with representatives from I LOVE NEW YORK, the New York Lottery and 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 Village Green. The ceremony held to commemorate the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America took place on the village green by the village gazebo. Principal Hardy played the role of New York's first governor, Richard Nicolls, who founded America's first race track in 1665 on Hempstead Plain, the forerunner to modern day Garden City.

I LOVE NEW YORK International Marketing Dir., N.Y.S., Markly Wilson gathers with students from Garden City High School and Middle School dressed in 17th century period costume, as well as the principal of Garden City High School Hank Hardy.

(L. to R.): Newmarket Race Course Managing Director Lisa Hancock; winning jockey; Garden City H.S. Principal Hank Hardy as New York's first governor; New York Lottery Director Nancy Palumbo; and NY Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Dennis Brida in his role as the head official of racing for the re-enactment of the first horse race in America.New York Lottery Director Nancy Palumbo gathers with students from Garden City High School and Middle School dressed in 17th century period costume on the village green to commemorate the 340th anniversary of horse racing in America. In the background is Garden City Village Administrator Bob Schoelle. The horses line-up for the start of the re-enactment of America's first horse race.