Good things come to those who wait, right? Well, horse racing fans, it seems your patience has finally paid off.
Belmont Park is making its long-awaited return!
It’s been quite a stretch—three years, two months, and nine days—and on Sunday, July 9, 2023, Bold Honor clinched the final race held at the old grandstand.
That grandstand is now a memory, along with the many empty seats it held. The revamped Belmont will be smaller, accommodating about 6,000 spectators, but it’s designed to be more efficient with a synthetic Tapeta surface ideal for New York’s winter racing.
Additionally, there are two new turf courses that promise better drainage than the old, problematic grass lanes.
The opening day will debut with its first Grade 1 race on the main track. International star Forever Young leads a group of five in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
This horse, bred in Japan, has experienced quite the journey—making 16 starts across 10 different tracks, winning 11 out of 15, including the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and never finishing below the board.
Will Baeza manage to pull off an upset this Friday? That’s the big question.
“The horse is capable,” said jockey Junior Alvarado, who was initially expected to ride 2025 Derby winner Sovereignty before that horse was scratched due to an injury. “He just has a lot of trouble leaving the gate.”
Notable past winners of the JCGC, which dates back to 1919, include legends like Man O’ War and Cigar. Quite the prestigious history there. Fox Sports will cover the event.
The fall meet, which stretches until December 6, will boast 32 graded stakes, including the Cigar Mile. Oh, and just so you know, the Belmont Stakes will return to Belmont after being held at the Spa for the last three years.
Next year, the Breeders’ Cup Championships will also be back in New York for the first time since 2005.
Given the closure of tracks across the country, The Post spoke with Alvarado about what reopening Belmont means for the industry.
“It’s a very, very exciting time. It’s a beautiful facility,” he commented. “Of course, the riders will need to adjust to the new surfaces, the two turf courses, and the longer stretch run on the main track.” As for the Tapeta surface? “I love it. I love the surface. It’ll be beneficial for winter racing in New York.”
“The re-opening of Belmont will be a historic moment in New York,” expressed Tina Marie Bond, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. “We’re thrilled about this state-of-the-art building. New York-breds will compete for record purses, and we’ll have year-round racing. Exciting times ahead for backstretch workers, new owners, and trainers. It’s going to enhance participation and grow our product.”
Hot jockeys: Manny Franco returns to Belmont after an impressive Saratoga Summer Meet where he rode 73 winners, the highest number ever. Flavien Prat, Jose Ortiz, his brother Irad, Hall-of-Famer John Velazquez, Kendrick Carmouche, and Junior Alvarado are just a few of the top jockeys set to grace the track.
Top trainers: Chad Brown (42 wins) narrowly beat Linda Rice (40) for the training title this spring. Expect Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, Miguel Clement, and Bill Mott to continue racking up victories as well.
