Belmont Park to re-open for live racing on Thursday

By Pat McKenna —-

ELMONT, N.Y. – Following a nearly eight-month stay at Aqueduct Racetrack, live racing on the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit returns to Belmont Park on Thursday, May 4 for the 2023 spring/summer meet.

Highlighted by the 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 10, the 40-day spring/summer meet will include 12 Grade 1 races, with nine of those contests scheduled during the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10.

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown triumph, which NYRA will commemorate throughout the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

For additional information on the 2023 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and details on hospitality offerings, ticket packages and pricing, visit BelmontStakes.com.

Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday-Sunday throughout the spring/summer meet with a post time of 1 p.m. Eastern. Twilight racing cards will be offered each Thursday from May 11 through June 22 with a post time of 3:05 p.m.

Post time on Kentucky Derby Day, May 6, will be 12:20 p.m., while the May 20 Preakness Day card will kick off at 12:30 p.m.

A slate of special events will kick off on Kentucky Derby Day, when the Bourbon at Belmont festival will be held on the 4th floor of the clubhouse from 3:30-7:30 p.m. This annual event features a wide variety of bourbons for tasting and selection of craft beers leading up to a simulcast of the “Run for the Roses” from Churchill Downs. For additional information, or to purchase tickets today, visit BourbonatBelmont.com.

A season pass for the spring/summer meet provides admission for all 40 days, including guaranteed general admission for Belmont Stakes Day, for just $65. Daily admission remains at $5.

In addition to the various concession areas located throughout the grandstand and backyard, the Belmont Room will be open Friday-Sunday for its customary buffet service.

Gates will open to fans at 11:30 a.m. for all days featuring a 1 p.m. post time. Gates will open to fans at 1 p.m. for all twilight Thursday programs, which begin on May 11. On Kentucky Oaks Day (May 5), Kentucky Derby Day (May 6), Preakness Day (May 20) and Father’s Day (June 18), gates will open at 10 a.m.

The completion of the new Elmont Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Station means that Belmont Park is easier to get to than ever before. To accommodate fans utilizing LIRR service, NYRA will operate regular shuttle bus service from the Elmont station to the West End entrance throughout the day. Please note, the Belmont Park LIRR station will operate only on Belmont Stakes Day, June 10.

For the current LIRR schedule, visit MTA.com/Info.

Fans planning on driving to Belmont Park can access free parking in the Green and Blue lots. Premium parking is available in the Silver ($5) and Gold ($10) lots. With the exception of Belmont Stakes Day, parking lots open to the public at 10 a.m. daily.

NYRA reminds fans that small coolers containing food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in the backyard and in the trackside Top of the Stretch picnic area. Coolers larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are permitted only in the Top of the Stretch. Outside alcoholic beverages are permitted only in the Top of the Stretch.

For information on the Top of the Stretch picnic area, as well as additional group hospitality options available at Belmont Park, visit NYRA.com/Hospitality.

America’s Day at the Races, the acclaimed national television show produced by the NYRA in conjunction with FOX Sports, will present extensive live daily coverage of spring/summer meet on the FOX Sports family of networks. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit NYRA.com/TV.

Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting on all days when live racing is conducted at Belmont Park. Admission to Aqueduct is free of charge and gates will open to fans according to the same schedule followed at Belmont.

For addition information about Belmont Park and the 2023 spring/summer meet, visit NYRA.com/Belmont.