NYRA announces major purse increases at the new Belmont Park 

NYRA announces major purse increases at the new Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced significant purse increases to overnight races during the fall meet at the new Belmont Park, which will open for live racing on September 18 following a multi-year redevelopment project to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island.

NYRA has increased purses in the open allowance category by a full 15 percent from $100,000 to $115,000. In addition, first-level optional-claiming events will be offered for $105,000 and second-level optional-claiming races will be offered for $108,000.

Maiden special weight races will receive an 18 percent increase from $85,000 to $100,000, while New York-bred maiden special weights will enjoy a 25 percent boost from $80,000 to $100,000.

“By raising purses to record levels, NYRA is creating valuable racing opportunities for participants based in New York and those interested in experiencing Belmont Park for the first time,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP, Racing and Operations. “These new purse levels also emphasize the benefits of foaling in New York, which is centrally important to the future of racing in the Empire State.”

NYRA will begin a new era at Belmont on September 18 with an Opening Day program anchored by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, which provides a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. To celebrate the unveiling of the new Belmont Park, NYRA will increase these record overnight purses by an additional 50 percent specifically for the September 18 program.

Centered around a five-story grandstand featuring an array of fan amenities and hospitality offerings, Belmont Park will open with four newly constructed racetracks including the main dirt track, two turf courses and a one-mile synthetic oval. Beyond the new grandstand, expanded paddock area and modernized racing and training infrastructure, NYRA has unlocked the Belmont Park infield to provide fans and the surrounding community with more generally accessible green space than ever before.

The consolidation of NYRA’s downstate racing operations at Belmont will usher in an expanded fall meet featuring 32 graded events among 72 stakes races worth $17.7 million in total purses. Highlighted by a series of major Saturday race days beginning in September and continuing through Cigar Mile Day on December 5, the fall meet will conclude on December 6.

The first Belmont Park fall meet condition book will be released in August.

For additional information on overnight purse increases, please visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/incentives/.

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Contact: Pat McKenna