Full Breakdown
Belmont Park Reopens After Multi-Hundred-Million Renovation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: First Races Return After Three-Year Closure
On Friday, September 18, the historic Belmont Park in Elmont, New York hosted its first races since the track closed in July 2023. A sell-out crowd of 6,000 watched a nine-race card that opened with the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, a “Win-and-You-Are-In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The first post time was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
Background & Context
The closure began after the 1968 grandstand was deemed outdated. New York Governor Kathy Hochul approved a state loan to the New York Racing Association to fund a rebuild that replaced the brick structure with a modern, five-story facility and added four new racing surfaces, including a mile-and-a-half turf track.
Timeline
- July 9, 2023 – Last race at the old Belmont Park.
- September 18, 2026 – Opening day of the renovated venue with 6,000 spectators.
- June 5, 2027 – Belmont Stakes scheduled to return after a three-year stint at Saratoga.
- Spring 2027 – Completion of the third-through-fifth floors of the grandstand is expected.
Data & Statistics
- Reported renovation costs: $550 million, $455 million, and $555 million.
- Opening-day attendance capped at 6,000; capacity on major race days will be 50,000.
- The new grandstand occupies roughly 275,000 sq ft, about one-third the size of the 1968 structure.
- State Operations director Jackie Bray projects $155 million in annual economic output and $10 million in tax revenue for the surrounding community.
- The Jockey Club Gold Cup offered a $1 million purse.
Official Statements & Responses
Robert Williams, executive director of the New York State Gaming Commission, called the facility “a shiny new toy.” Jackie Bray emphasized the projected economic benefits for local businesses and tax revenues.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total cost of the renovation: ABC News cites $550 million, NY1 reports $455 million, and ABC 7 NY states $555 million. No source provides a final audited figure, leaving the exact expenditure unverified.
Why It Matters / Impact
NYRA officials anticipate the upgraded track will serve as an economic engine for Long Island, drawing both traditional racing patrons and new visitors. The venue is slated to host the Wood Memorial in early April, the Belmont Stakes on June 5, and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the fall of 2027, positioning New York as a premier destination for elite North American horse racing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s an amazing feeling to be part of this historical track and historical reopening of Belmont Park,” — Antonio Fresu
- “With the new Belmont Park, New York enters into a league of its own,” — Gov. Kathy Hochul
- “I’m hopeful that there will be some new fans that come out to us,” — Robert Williams
What's Next
- The Wood Memorial, a key Kentucky Derby prep, is expected in early April 2027 once the remaining grandstand levels are completed.
- The Belmont Stakes will return on June 5, 2027.
- The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are slated for the fall of 2027, marking the first New York hosting since 2005.