Belmont Park Reopens with a New Era of Horse Racing
NEW YORK — The long-awaited return of horse racing to Belmont Park has begun following a three-year, $550 million reconstruction that modernized the iconic track in Elmont, Nassau County. A sellout crowd of 6,000 witnessed the first race on Friday, with the filly Lisa Joy, ridden by jockey Antonio Fresu, clinching victory.
Fresu expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling to be part of this historic track and historic reopening.” The facility features a striking futuristic design, contrasting sharply with the former brick grandstand that occupied the site since 1968.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, New York Governor Kathy Hochul heralded a new era for horse racing in the state: “With the new Belmont Park, New York enters into a league of its own.”
Currently, only the first two floors are open to the public, with additional levels anticipated to be ready for the Wood Memorial in April. The centerpiece is the renowned 1 1/2-mile dirt track, complemented by a turf course praised by Fresu.
The Belmont Stakes returns to its home track on June 5, after a three-year stint located at Saratoga. The upcoming Breeders’ Cup will be held at Belmont in fall 2027, marking its first occurrence in New York since 2005.
US Racing Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, who celebrated victories in the first two races, acknowledged the facility’s modernity, stating, “It’s a beautiful place, and it’s a lot more modern than old Belmont.”
The reopening festivities included a performance by country artist Dierks Bentley, who placed a bet on the Japanese competitor, Forever Young, in the headline race. CEO David O’Rourke praised the operations team for executing a successful reopening, celebrating the occasion as a monumental achievement for Belmont Park.
