Aron Yagoda is native New Yorker and has been attending the races at the NYRA tracks since he was a baby. “I actually attended my first Saratoga meet before I was born, and haven’t missed a summer since,” Yagoda said. “My grandfather and father both had horses on the New York circuit; I recently entered my 30th year of owning horses.”

Yagoda is the Executive Vice President of Streit’s Matzos, which has been in his family since it was established in 1925.

Yagoda participates in the Thoroughbred industry as an owner, breeder and pinhooker. He currently has 20 horses, from yearlings to racing age. “I am very hands-on and can be found at NYRA tracks throughout the year,” he said. “There is no better day for me than one that starts on the backside before the sun rises, and ends after a full afternoon of racing. I spend time at numerous horse sales. Horse racing isn’t just a business or a hobby for me, it’s my passion.”

Yagoda was elected as an alternate on the NYTHA Board in 2017, and was named to replace long-time Board member Michael Shanley when he retired in January of 2019.