Anyone who’s tackled home renovations knows deadlines can be, well, pretty flexible. So, it’s not all that surprising that the Saratoga Race Course is set to host the Belmont Stakes in 2026.
This race will happen on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and instead of the usual mile and a half, it will run a mile and a quarter due to the unique layout of the Saratoga track.
Initially, there were plans to have Belmont Park ready for next year’s “Champion Test,” but that’s now pushed back to September 2026.
This decision was announced on Friday by Kathy Hochul and the New York Racing Association, revealing that keeping the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga for another year allows ongoing construction at the new Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, to proceed without interruptions.
“New York is home to world-class sports and entertainment, and this final chapter of the Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga race course honors our rich racing history while also setting the stage for an exciting future at Belmont Park,” stated Gov. Hochul.
“By bringing the race back to Saratoga next year, we’ll once again draw larger crowds for this historic leg of the Triple Crown, ensuring fans get the full experience.”
Saratoga has hosted the last two Belmont Stakes, which were won by Dornock and Sovereignty.
The annual Saratoga Summer Meet kicks off on Thursday, July 10th, but the venue will also host the July 4th Racing Festival, typically held at Belmont Park.
This four-day festival is set for Thursday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 6th.
And earlier this month, Hochul revealed that Belmont will host the Breeders’ Cup in 2027.
