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Belmont Park Reopens After $550 Million Rebuild

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kathy Hochul Reopens Belmont

Belmont Park reopened after a $550 million rebuild, with Gov. Kathy Hochul cutting the ribbon.
Antonio Fresu rode Lisa Joy to win the opening 1¼-mile turf race.
Forever Young captured the $1 million Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
6,000 fans attended, paying $50 Friday, $10 weekend, or $7 Thursday for general admission.
The Belmont Stakes returns June 5, with the Wood Memorial scheduled for early April.

Summary

Belmont Park Expands

Governor Hochul projected the new Belmont Park will generate $155 million annual impact and thousands of permanent jobs.
Hochul championed a $455 million state loan that finances the $550 million NYRA renovation.
The grandstand can expand to seat up to 100,000 fans for concerts and mega-events.
Bonus depreciation in President Donald Trump's tax bill is prompting spending by wealthy horse-sale owners.
Its proximity to UBS Arena creates a sports and entertainment district on Long Island.

Summary

LIRR Adds Extra Trains

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will run 17 extra trains to the Elmont-UBS Arena station on opening day.
New York Racing Association (NYRA) will provide shuttle buses from the station platform to Belmont Park during racing hours.
Vice president of communications Pat McKenna announced that country star Dierks Bentley will perform live on opening day.
A 200-year-old Japanese white pine, shown in the park’s logo, was preserved in the redevelopment.

History

Historical Context

In 1978, after the 1975 fire, Belmont Park unveiled a $30 million rebuilt grandstand, restoring its status as New York’s premier racing venue. Governor Hugh Carey’s administration contributed $12 million, while the New York Racing Association secured an $18 million loan, expanding seating capacity to 100,000 spectators. Governor Kathy Hochul and NYRA employ a $455 million loan for a $550 million overhaul, echoing the past deal while serving 6,000 fans and adding LIRR shuttles. The 1978 revival proved that massive upgrades can spur multi-million-dollar revenue, presaging today’s projected $155 million annual impact and thousands of permanent jobs.

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Kathy Hochul Reopens Belmont

Belmont Park reopened after a $550 million rebuild, with Gov. Kathy Hochul cutting the ribbon.
Antonio Fresu rode Lisa Joy to win the opening 1¼-mile turf race.
Forever Young captured the $1 million Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
6,000 fans attended, paying $50 Friday, $10 weekend, or $7 Thursday for general admission.
The Belmont Stakes returns June 5, with the Wood Memorial scheduled for early April.

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