Thursday, 21 May 2020 12:29

All Eyes On Belmont

NYRA Looks to Launch Race Meet Without Fans June 1 at Belmont. Photo by Janet Garaguso, courtesy of NYRA. NYRA Looks to Launch Race Meet Without Fans June 1 at Belmont. Photo by Janet Garaguso, courtesy of NYRA.

NEW YORK — Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that racetracks may reopen June 1, the New York Racing Association is preparing to resume live racing at Belmont Park, and potentially relocate to Saratoga later in the summer. 

The Saratoga meet is slated to begin July 16. That date has not been changed. 

“Our ability to continue the training operation at Belmont Park throughout the pandemic informs the strict safety protocols that we currently have in place at Belmont Park and would seek to implement at Saratoga Race Course,” NYRA Director of Communications Pat McKenna said April 29.  “As such, NYRA is seeking to resume live racing at Belmont Park in the absence of fans and we have prepared operating plans that follow the same model for Saratoga.” 

The Oklahoma Training Track opposite the main track on Union Avenue - which was to open in April – has been delayed and is still not open. 

This week, NYRA issued an updated statement. “NYRA and the New York racing community are thankful for Governor Cuomo’s steady leadership throughout this public health crisis and we applaud his decision to authorize the resumption of horse racing, without fans, beginning on June 1,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said. “This is a reasoned and responsible decision by Governor Cuomo that will enable horse racing to resume in a way that prioritizes health and safety while recognizing that NYRA is the cornerstone of an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact.”

NYRA says it has developed a “comprehensive safety plan” and “extensive protocols.”

Live racing, to be conducted without spectators, will return on Wednesday, June 3, at Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes will take place June 20, as the first leg of the Triple Crown series. The spring/summer meet at Belmont will conclude on Sunday, July 12.

Read 1775 times

Blotter

  • Saratoga County Court Rick C. Sweet, 36, of Ballston Spa, pleaded to attempted assault in the second-degree, and menacing in the third-degree, charged in January. Sentencing July 3.  Seth A. Labarbera, 24, of Ballston Lake, was sentenced to 1 year in local jail, after pleading to criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, charged July 2023 in Saratoga Springs.  David A. Fink, 27, of Ballston, was sentenced to 4 years’ incarceration and 5 years’ post-release supervision, after pleading to attempted arson in the second-degree, charged August 2023.  Michael J. Scensny, 34, of Waterford, was sentenced to 3 years in state…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON  William Bergstrom sold property at 793 Rt 50 to KMD 793 LLC for $245,000 Eastline Holdings LLC sold property at 2 Linden Ct to Donna Jordan for $449,980 John Moynihan sold property at 28 Fruitwood Dr to Joshua Matthews for $380,000 Ronald Taylor sold property at 1422 Saratoga Rd to Invequity Holdings LLC for $600,000 CHARLTON Tara Hicks sold property at 8 McNamara Dr to Andrew Sayles for $270,000 Jon Andersen sold property at 454 Finley Rd to Ryan Donselar for $475,000 CORINTH Steven Cole sold property at 28 West Mechanic St to Maurice Jeanson for $275,000 GREENFIELD Robert…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association