SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Belmont Stakes will formally be held at Saratoga Race Course in 2024 to permit for the development of a brand new and re-imagined Belmont Park, the Long Island dwelling of the third leg of the Triple Crown.
“As part of the exciting modernization of Belmont Park, Saratoga now adds to its storied history by hosting the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown,” Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned in a information launch from her workplace Wednesday morning. “It’s a win for horseracing and for the Capital Region to have the excitement and the ability to host the four-day Festival in June at America’s most historic track. As I said during the 2023 Saratoga Meet, ‘Let’s do it.’”
“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s support for a new and modernized Belmont Park, NYRA will soon be able to bring the Belmont Stakes to Upstate New York for the first time in history. Beyond the excitement and energy around a Triple Crown event at the sport’s most beloved venue, the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course will generate important economic impact and drive tourism throughout the Capital Region. We are thrilled to add a new chapter to the story of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs this June,” New York Racing Association President & CEO David O’Rourke added within the information launch.
According to the information launch, highlighted by the 156th version of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will start on Thursday, June 6 and proceed by means of Sunday, June 9.
The four-day Festival at Saratoga Race Course will embrace 23 stakes races in whole with purses totaling $9.7 million, the very best purse ranges and variety of stakes supplied for the reason that launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014, state officers famous.
An American custom inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack and moved in 1905 to Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes has supplied followers with among the most fun moments in sports activities historical past. From Secretariat’s spellbinding 31-length victory in 1973 to American Pharoah efficiently ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, the Belmont Stakes captures the eye of the sports activities world each June, the press launch famous.
Officials mentioned the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will improve the purse of the Belmont Stakes from $1.5 million to $2 million in 2024, which is the primary important improve since 2014. In addition, pending the approval of the North American Graded Stakes Committee, the Belmont Stakes can be contested at 1 1/4 miles in 2024 somewhat than the normal 1 1/2 miles as a result of configuration of Saratoga’s primary observe.
“Saratoga County continues to grow and thrive because of world-class attractions like Saratoga Race Course. Governor Hochul has long championed Upstate New York as the ideal place to live, work, and vacation. That’s exactly what racing fans will find here in Saratoga when they visit for the Belmont Stakes in June,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus mentioned within the launch.
Shimkus additionally shared in a press release to the Saratogian that the Belmont happening in Saratoga Springs is “our regions Super Bowl” and an opportunity to showcase Spa City, Saratoga County and the area as an entire to a world-wide viewers on tv, on-line and in individual.
“The Saratoga County Chamber, Discover Saratoga, SEDC, the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, the City and County are collaborating to maximize the value of this historic opportunity,” Shimkus mentioned. “We want to be sure those who visit get to see the best horse racing in the world and simultaneously to experience our history, our arts cultural attractions and our outdoor recreational amenities. Today’s news is not a surprise, and we will be ready because we have been working together for some time now to plan ahead.”
Incoming Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll shared that the town’s Department of Public Safety is already making ready for the Belmont, which he believes can be “one of the most significant special events this City has hosted.”
“Both the Police and Fire Departments are actively involved in security preparations and have ongoing communications with NYRA Security as well as our partners at the federal, state and county levels,” Coll defined by way of e mail to the Saratogian. “Preparation and training exercises will occur to ensure our preparedness for this event. FBI Albany’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) has also committed their resources and assistance. We are very fortunate to have a wide breadth of public safety experience available in this City to keep us safe.”
Current Mayor Ron Kim additionally shared his ideas on the affirmation of The Belmont Stakes coming to Saratoga Springs.
“After months of speculation, I am excited to hear that The Belmont Stakes will officially be held at The Saratoga Race Course,” commented Kim in a written assertion to the Saratogian. “The Triple Crown race is a great opportunity for tourism, local businesses, the historic racetrack, and for our lovely City to be seen by millions. Saratoga Springs has a long history of coming together to meet a challenge and I am certain all sectors of our community will work together to make this the best Belmont ever.”
“Saratoga Race Course is an engine of our local economy and a source of immense civic pride. This year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival presents the opportunity to hold a world-class event outside of the traditional summer racing season, which is incredibly exciting for this community. We thank Gov. Hochul for her consistent support of horse racing in Saratoga and throughout the state,” Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board Chair Joseph Torani added within the launch.
Hochul famous how her Executive Budget included a proposal for NYRA to construct new thoroughbred racing services at Belmont Park, the FY2024 Enacted Budget granted that approval. This venture will improve the 117-year-old observe, bringing the trendy hospitality choices followers anticipate whereas producing $1 billion in construction-related impacts, 3,700 development jobs, $155 million in annual financial exercise, and 740 new full-time jobs. Upgrading Belmont can even safe the way forward for the game of horse racing, which sustains 19,000 jobs throughout the state and a $3 billion annual financial impression. The new Belmont Park can even dramatically increase the quantity of open house out there to followers and the encircling group.
Following the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the NYRA circuit will return to Aqueduct Racetrack for the rest of the spring meet earlier than racing shifts to Saratoga for the annual 40-day summer season meet starting Thursday, July 11. Prior to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Belmont spring/summer season meet can be performed at Aqueduct. The fall meet usually held at Belmont Park will once more be shifted to Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024 whereas development of a brand new Belmont Park continues.
While 2024 will mark the primary time the Belmont Stakes unfolds at Saratoga, the race was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963-1967 when Belmont Park final underwent important renovations. Traditionally run on the “Test of the Champion” distance of 1 ½ miles, the space has been adjusted all through historical past and as not too long ago as 2020 when the Triple Crown was modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional data and particulars on hospitality choices, ticket packages, and pricing for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course can be out there in early 2024.
“The Governor’s announcement that the Belmont Stakes, one of the sporting world’s premier international athletic events, will be held at the historic Saratoga Race Course in 2024 is thrilling news for Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, and the entire 44th Senate District and will undoubtedly be a major boon for tourism and the economy of our area,” State Senator Jim Tedisco mentioned within the launch.
“I am thrilled to help welcome our Long Island neighbors and fellow thoroughbred racing fans from around the globe to Saratoga this June. It will be so exciting to have the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, here in our backyard, for the first time in Saratoga Race Course’s 160-year history. Recalling an old advertising slogan, Saratoga will definitely be ‘thoroughly thoroughbred’ this summer and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Assemblymember Carrie Woerner added within the launch.
Source: www.bostonherald.com