Belmont Park opens amid a period of transition
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Fans are not likely to notice much difference in the Belmont Park they left approximately 10 months ago, when the 2023 spring/summer meet opens Thursday for a 40-day run. But during the time away, a significant amount of work was done to start the process of a new Belmont that will come in the years ahead.
Since racing ended here last July 10, a new 32-feet wide, 18-feet high tunnel was constructed in the infield. The tunnel allows for trucks to bring in the materials needed to begin brining the necessary material and tools to help with the renovation of the racing surfaces that will ramp up when this meet ends July 9. There is also a pedestrian tunnel alongside that will, at some point, be used for fans to gain access to the infield.
The next phase of the project is the installation of a Tapeta surface and a renovation of the inner turf course. The outline of the one-mile Tapeta track – which will be built inside of the inner turf – is starting to take shape. The Tapeta surface, which could be used starting in the spring of 2024, is designed to help field size remain intact when races are rained off the turf. The inner turf course will also be renovated and widened.
While these surfaces are being done a new electrical and irrigation system is being put in.
“Without the tunnel, this work couldn’t take place. We’d be stopped right now,” Glen Kozak, senior vice president of operations and capital projects, said. “This could be a five-year project if we didn’t have the tunnel.”
Following the 2024 spring meet, the main track and the outer turf will undergo renovations, with the latter also being widened.
Kozak said the widening of the turf courses could allow up to additional two to four running lanes.
Then there is the construction of a new, smaller grandstand, a project that was expected to receive the green light this week with the passing of the New York State 2023-24 fiscal budget. The budget, already a month late, includes language that will allow NYRA to borrow approximately $455 million for the new building as well as for these track renovation projects. The timeline for when the construction of a new building could take place is unknown, but almost certainly wouldn’t start before the summer of 2024.
Two more tunnels need to be built on the frontside, one for horses, another for humans to gain access to the infield.
All these projects will mean the Belmont fall meet for certainly this year and likely next will be conducted at Aqueduct, as was the case in 2022.
So, enjoy this 10-week stand at Belmont, which will consist of 54 stakes worth $15.575 million. The NYRA reduced the purses of 12 graded stakes – including four Grade 1’s – by a combined $1.325 million and used some of that money to increase purses of 13 Grade 3 or listed stakes by a combined $675,000.
The $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, is June 10, and tops a card that includes six Grade 1 stakes. The Just a Game and Acorn, both Grade 1 stakes, have been moved from Belmont Day to the day before to spice up that card.
John Imbriale, who announced his semi-retirement last year, will be back to call the races at Belmont and again during the Aqueduct at Belmont meet following Saratoga. Chris Griffin called Aqueduct’s races the last six months and will return this fall for the same time period.
For most of this meet, racing will be conducted Thursdays through Sundays. There will be a five-day race week June 30 through July 4 (a Tuesday), with closing week consisting of three days, July 7 through 9.
With some exceptions, post time is generally 1 p.m. though Thursdays from May 11 through July 22 will have a 3:05 p.m. post. There will also be earlier post times for Kentucky Derby (12:20 p.m.) and Preakness (12 p.m.) day programs.
Daily admission is $5. Fans can purchase a season pass for $65, which includes general admission for Belmont Stakes Day.
The new Long Island Rail Road station in Elmont will allow for more daily trains to Belmont Park. NYRA will have a regular free shuttle from the station to the West End of the grandstand. The old Belmont Park train stop will only be available on Belmont Stakes Day.
For those who drive, free parking is available in the green and blue lots. There is premium parking in the silver ($5) and gold ($10) lots. All prices exclude Belmont Stakes Day.
Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting on days when Belmont Park races.
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