Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 06, 2024, 00:01 IST
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Renovations to Belmont Park are anticipated to pave the best way for the racetrack to host the Belmont Stakes in June 2026.
Renovations to Belmont Park are anticipated to pave the best way for the racetrack to host the Belmont Stakes in June 2026.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday unveiled a development timeline that features the $455 million mission being absolutely accomplished by fall of that yr, which may permit the Breeders’ Cup to return to the remade New York observe in November 2026. The third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown can be again from a two-yr stint elsewhere with restricted attendance and use of the newly opened infield area.
“The redevelopment of Belmont Park is a critical investment in one of New York’s most historic sporting venues,” Hochul mentioned in assertion. “The new facility will support year-round racing, thousands of new jobs for Long Islanders and provide an enhanced experience for customers attending the iconic Belmont Stakes for generations to come.”
Breeders’ Cup officers in a 2022 letter to the New York Racing Association expressed help for the mission, even whereas not committing to a yr through which to carry the 2-day worldwide pageant at Belmont Park. Paraphrasing the baseball film “Field of Dreams,” Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Drew Fleming and chairman of the board Barbara Banke wrote to NYRA, “If you build it, we will come.”
“Simply put, it has been far too long since the Breeders’ Cup world championships have been held in New York, and the only hurdle is the existing infrastructure at Belmont Park,” Banke and Fleming wrote to NYRA president and CEO David O’Rourke on the time. “We stand ready to support the efforts to build a new Belmont Park and look forward to the opportunity to partner with NYRA and and New York to showcase the leading role of New York racing to the world.”
A spokesperson mentioned Tuesday the Breeders’ Cup doesn’t touch upon host areas earlier than they’re introduced however is wanting ahead to working with New York to carry the occasion there.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in outhern California is ready to host every of the following two years.
Belmont Park has hosted the Breeders’ Cup 4 instances: in 1990, ‘95, 2001 and ’05. After the renovations, the 50,000-capability observe will likely be winterized and up to date for on a regular basis racing, with the flexibility to increase for giant racing days just like the Belmont Stakes.
“The new Belmont Park will be a thoroughly modern racing and entertainment facility that will take its place on the global stage among iconic venues like Ascot, Longchamp and The Curragh,” NYRA board of administrators chair Marc Holliday mentioned, referring to a few of the extra well-known tracks in Europe. “It is an honor to design and develop a venue that will appeal to racing enthusiasts and attract a new generation of fans.”
The Belmont Stakes is ready to be held at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York the following two years whereas development is ongoing. All racing exercise within the New York City space briefly has been consolidated to Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, whereas coaching has continued at Belmont Park, together with an artificial pony observe that can be utilized throughout inclement climate.
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AP sports activities: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
