The Belmont at Saratoga… The Last Dance

This weekend marks the final act of a three-part series that will play out at Saratoga Race Course. When Belmont Park closed for a total rebuild in early 2024, Saratoga was chosen by the New York Racing Association to race the Belmont Stakes for a three-year period. The Triple Crown finale would then return to its new permanent home in 2027. 

It was a monumental decision. When the original Belmont Park was first rebuilt in the 1960s, the race was held downstate at nearby Aqueduct Racetrack. At the time “The Big A” was at its zenith and one of the most important racetracks in the country. It was the obvious choice to conduct the race there.

“The times they are a changing.” Saratoga Race Course has since become a focal point of the American horse racing scene. At the same time Aqueduct has fallen on hard times. In fact, when Saratoga opens the gates for its summer meeting, the wrecking ball will bring the era of the once mighty Aqueduct to an end.

The Belmont Stakes is known as “The Test of Champions.” The final leg of the Triple Crown is traditionally raced at the grueling distance of 1 1/2 miles. This is after a significant share of the contenders have competed in both the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness just three weeks prior.

The decision to conduct the race here at The Spa made it necessary to change the length of the race. The two tracks have distinctly different layouts. The only alternative was to race it at a lesser distance of 1 1/4 miles.

The city of Saratoga Springs welcomed the opportunity with open arms. The most famous and historic racetrack in the country was about to host one of the premier sporting events on the world stage. 

From the first running here in 2024, it has surpassed all expectations. Approximately 50,000 fans attend the race. The track will be jam packed with spectators waiting for the main event. When the three-year-olds walk on to the track, Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti will perform his powerful rendition of “New York New York.” As they approach the gate, the crowd can hear a pin drop. Then the bell rings and a deafening roar will be heard throughout the old stands. In approximately two minutes, a new Belmont Stakes champion will take a bow in the winner’s circle. The owner will be presented with the stunning Belmont Stakes Trophy. After the ceremony, a scaled down version of the permanent trophy is then awarded to the winning owner, trainer, and jockey. 

Noticeable when walking the grounds are the well-dressed patrons. Tank tops and shorts take a breather on this special day. It’s a testimony to the respect that the race deserves and demands. 

The Belmont Stakes Festival has evolved into a five-day extravaganza. The racing schedule is loaded with Stakes Races. Many of the top racehorses and jockeys in the country will compete for $11 million in purse money spread over the festival week. To the horse players it’s a dream come true. Their handicapping skills will be put to the ultimate test. 

This year’s Belmont Stakes card features six grade one races. The Metropolitan Handicap tops the undercard. The mile race has a long and storied past as one of the elite events on the New York racing calendar dating back to 1891.

Saratoga has been blessed to have the Belmont Stakes take place here during the transitionary period. It’s bittersweet that the three-year run will be over early Saturday evening. It has been great for Saratoga, and NYRA has done a fantastic job presenting it to the racing public. On the other hand, it’s time for Belmont Park to bring its signature race back home and revert it to the proper distance of 1 1/2 miles.

It is worth mentioning that during World War Two, racing was suspended here at Saratoga. Due to wartime constraints, the Travers Stakes was contested at Belmont Park for three consecutive years beginning in 1943. That debt of gratitude has now been repaid with pleasure.

To have a world class sporting event take place in our own backyard is a remarkable happening. If you haven’t been to either of the first two runnings of the Belmont at Saratoga, the opportunity awaits this one final time. The race has an excellent field of contenders. The weather looks like it will cooperate. What more could you ask for? 

It’s the last chance to take in the thrills and excitement that will accompany the final Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. When you hear Sal “The Voice” belt out this famous line from the Belmont Stakes theme song, “I want to be a part of it, New York New York,” you will be glad that you too are a part of it. It’s a memory that you will not soon forget. Hope to see you there.