Garden City, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi was joined today by Regina Zara, Director of Sporting Events for the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (LICVB) and Sports Commission, Brian Rosenberg, Vice President of the Garden City Hotel and Senior Vice President of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), Bill Nader in announcing an expected restaurant and hotel boom as a result of the Belmont Stakes taking place this weekend. The Long Island region is expecting to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, as another Triple Crown contender, Smarty Jones takes center stage.

"For nearly 100 years Nassau County has hosted the Stakes at Belmont Park," said County Executive Suozzi. "The race provides the County with a tremendous shot in the arm to our economy and this Saturday afternoon, the entire world will be watching us once again. Two years ago we set the record for attendance at Belmont Park with over 103,000 spectators. I am challenging all horse racing fans to turn out and help us set a new attendance record."

"Long Island receives a significant boost in hotel room occupancy and restaurant visits from both the thoroughbred industry that is centered here all week, as well as horse racing fans from around the country who attend the Belmont Stakes on Saturday," added Regina Zara. "We at the Long Island Sports Commission and the CVB couldn't ask for a better start to our summer tourism season."

Brian Rosenberg added, "Once again this week, the Garden City Hotel is pleased to be the 'Home Away From Home' for the horse racing community, as well as those who are in town for the Belmont Stakes. We're looking forward to a memorable Saturday afternoon."

Ed Travaglianti, President of the Long Island region for Commerce Bank was also on hand to drum up enthusiasm for another big spectator event coming to Nassau County this summer, the Commerce Bank Long Island Classic. The Champions Tour golf tournament runs from June 28th - July 4th on the newly refurbished Red Course at Eisenhower Park. "The Commerce Bank Long Island Classic is an excellent opportunity for golf lovers to get up close and personal with some of the nation's best Senior Tour golfers," said Travaglianti.

"The Long Island Classic, along with the Belmont Stakes, the U.S. Open and the Jones Beach concert series and many other events this summer make Nassau County and Long Island a premiere summer tourist destination," said Suozzi.

This year's tournament will have the strongest player field for the Classic in its 18-year history. Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin and Peter Jacobsen have all committed to play. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend the weeklong tournament and significantly bolster the tourism industry on Long Island.