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New York Racing Association has Plans to Renovate Belmont Park

by Dave Schwab - 3/27/2023

Belmont Stakes

Belmont Park is a 117-year horse racing track in Nassau County, New York. The facility had improvements done in 1968, and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has plans to renovate Belmont Park again.

NYRA revealed plans to build an inside synthetic track as part of renovations to Belmont Park as the fourth horse racing surface. The synthetic track will join the main dirt track and two other turf courses. Belmont Park is home to the Belmont Stakes, the third major stakes race of the Triple Crown.

A state board approved the plan as a list of capital projects for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The New State Franchise Oversight Board also approved the plan to add new dorms and saddle stalls as an improvement to both Belmont Park and Saratoga. NYRA expects the new synthetic track and dorms at Belmont will be completed in spring or summer of 2024.

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Belmont Park is in Line for Major Renovations

The Belmont Park project was included in a $455 million executive budget by Governor Kathy Hochul. As defined by the budget, NYRA would be expected to repay New York for the cost of the entire capital improvement to both state race tracks.

The “We Are New York Horse Racing” coalition supported the NYRA in 2022 for its renovation plans for Belmont Park. One of the oldest major race tracks in New York, Belmont Park will finally see improvements after 55 years.

In December of 2022, NYRA completed the installation of a synthetic pony track at Belmont Park. The Tapeta Footings synthetic surface is a quarter-mile track also used for jogging by horses in their workouts. This new synthetic surface has helped the NYRA compile information and data on its performance under climate and weather conditions at Belmont Park.

NYRA Senior Vice President, Operations and Capital Projects Glen Kozak said in a recent release:

“NYRA has closely studied the evolution of synthetic surfaces in recent years and the time is right to add this option for use both training and racing. The new track represents an investment in the future of Belmont Park that will enhance equine safety, support field size during inclement weather and provide horsemen with another year-round training option.”

Mr. Kozak also added:

“Working with the pony track this winter has provided us with invaluable, real-world knowledge around the art and science of properly maintaining synthetic surfaces. We look forward to applying our collective expertise to this transformational project at Belmont Park.”

Major upgrades from NYRA are coming to Belmont Park including the inside synthetic track with one-house budget proposals from the state Senate and Assemble. The New York Franchise Oversight Board approved the proposal in February on this year.

State Senator Joe Addabbo believes that these capital improvements at Belmont Park will help the racetrack and New York’s economy. In a recent statement of the plans to renovate Belmont Park, he said:

“The Belmont Racetrack project will create over 4,000 union jobs, add to state revenue and provide a more modern, environmentally-friendly, safer track with additional green space.”

The new oval-shaped synthetic track will be one mile in length as a big part of the renovation to the whole Belmont project. Construction of the track is made possible with a brand new vehicular tunnel that grants access to Belmont Park’s infield.

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