Belmont Park Grand Return
Rebuilt Belmont Park reopens Friday following a massive $450 million modern renovation.
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Belmont Park’s last race was held in July 2023; during the closure, the last three Belmont Stakes were staged at Saratoga Race Course and most downstate racing moved to the now-shuttered Aqueduct Racetrack.
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The renovated venue is intended to become the New York Racing Association’s downstate hub, operating nearly year-round except for the annual summer meet at Saratoga; the new Tapeta surface will be the exclusive surface for Belmont’s winter races.
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Opening Day will include entertainment beyond racing, with country music artist Dierks Bentley headlining the program and additional live music planned at the track.
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Forever Young’s workout was timed in 1:02.17 for five furlongs, after splits of 14 3/5, 28 1/5, 40 2/5 and 50 2/5 seconds; he warmed up on the Tapeta before switching to the main track.
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The redevelopment includes updated grandstand amenities and viewing areas, with track officials describing the redesigned surfaces as improvements intended to prioritize equine and jockey safety.
Belmont Park reopens Friday, September 18, after a three-year, $450 million reconstruction that transformed Long Island's iconic track into a modern racing facility. Times Union reports the nine-race opening-day card is headlined by the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, a Grade 1 race offering a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic and featuring Japanese champion Forever Young in a seven-horse field.
The rebuilt venue features a new grandstand, paddock, and four-course racing layout including an exclusive one-mile Tapeta surface for winter races. Racing Dudes notes the Gold Cup serves as a
Three-Year Closure Tested New York Racing
Belmont Park's last race ran in July 2023, leaving the venue dark for nearly 36 months. Times Union reports that during the closure, the final three Belmont Stakes moved to Saratoga Race Course, while most downstate racing shifted to Aqueduct Racetrack—which has since shuttered. The reopening restores racing to Long Island after the longest gap in the track's modern history.
Forever Young Preps With Strong Workout
The reigning Japanese Horse of the Year breezed five furlongs in 1:02.17, according to Canadian Thoroughbred. The workout included splits of 14 3/5, 28 1/5, 40 2/5, and 50 2/5 seconds. Forever Young warmed up on the new Tapeta surface before switching to the main track, drawing favorable remarks from his connections ahead of Friday's $1 million showdown.
Belmont's New Design Prioritizes Safety and Amenities
The $450 million reconstruction replaced the former facility with updated grandstand viewing areas and new racing surfaces. Track officials say the redesigned Tapeta and main tracks improve both equine and jockey safety. The four-course layout gives the track flexibility for year-round operation except during Saratoga's annual summer meet, making Belmont the New York Racing Association's primary downstate hub.
Opening Day Pairs Racing With Country Music
Friday's reopening extends beyond the racetrack. Times Union reports country artist Dierks Bentley will headline the entertainment program, with additional live music scheduled throughout the day. FOX will televise the reopening and the Jockey Club Gold Cup nationally, bringing the historic track back into American living rooms after a three-year absence.
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