NYRA plans to race 202 days in 2023; Belmont at the Big A meet will return

The Belmont Park fall meet will again be held at Aqueduct next year, according to a 2023 racing schedule put out by the New York Racing Association on Wednesday.

The 28-date meet will run from Sept. 14 to Oct. 29.

NYRA conducted this year’s Belmont’s fall meet at Aqueduct due to construction of a tunnel to the infield at Belmont. There are still additional construction projects slated for Belmont, including a renovation of both turf courses and the main track, which are scheduled to begin next summer.

The track’s 2023 spring/summer meet will be held at Belmont, although it will start a week later than in recent years. The 40-date season will be held from May 4 to July 9. The Belmont Stakes is June 10.

Saratoga will hold its typical 40-date meet in 2023. The upstate season will open July 13 and continue through Sept. 4. The Whitney will be run Aug. 5 and the Travers is scheduled for Aug. 26.

The New York Racing Association has scheduled a total of 202 race dates for 2023.

The year opens with Aqueduct’s winter meet, which will have 44 dates from Jan. 1 to March 26. The Aqueduct spring meet has a 19-date run, from March 30 to April 30.

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Racing then moves to Belmont for the spring/summer meet, followed by Saratoga. The year closes out at Aqueduct, with Belmont at the Big A and Aqueduct’s fall meet, the latter a 31-date stand from Nov. 2 to Dec. 31.

Randazzo new Jockey Club steward

Samantha Randazzo has been named The Jockey Club steward for the New York Racing Association and begins her new role Nov. 25, Stuart S. Janney III, the chairman of The Jockey Club, announced Wednesday. Randazzo takes over from Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, who was recently named the equine safety and welfare director of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.

“Samantha’s experience as a steward at Finger Lakes and her many years working in the racing industry make her the ideal person to step into the role as The Jockey Club steward for NYRA,” said Janney.

Randazzo has an extensive administrative background in racing and also worked as a veterinary technician. She holds a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

- additional reporting by David Grening

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