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“New York is home to world class sports and entertainment and this final chapter of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course honors our rich racing heritage while paving the way for a bold, new future at Belmont Park,” Governor Hochul declared.
That “bold new future” may come at the expense of tradition — and not everyone is celebrating.
Saratoga’s Surging Numbers Tell the Tale
Despite some rain-soaked conditions this year, attendance in Saratoga remained strong. More than 110,000 fans passed through the gates during the five-day racing festival in 2025. That’s a slight dip from 2024’s record-setting 120,427, but still impressive by any metric.
On race day itself, 46,243 fans showed up — fewer than last year’s 50,000-capacity crowd, but the numbers that really matter told a different story. The 2025 event generated nearly $198 million in betting handle, with over half of that — $101.8 million — coming in just on Saturday.
That kind of money speaks volumes. With dollar signs dancing and the local economy booming, it’s easy to see why NYRA is sticking with what works.
Main Street Loves the Triple Crown Spotlight
It’s not just bettors who are cashing in. Local businesses, restaurants, and tourism offices have turned the Belmont festival into a community-wide spectacle.
“The popular Belmont on Broadway concerts have become a festival highlight,” the report noted. After Blues Traveler energized the crowd in 2024, 90s rock legends the Gin Blossoms took center stage this year. Local leaders like Chamber President Todd Shimkus are already planning the next round of entertainment.
Mayor John Safford added: “It has been an honor and a privilege for Saratoga Springs to host the Belmont over the past two years.”
This kind of support from grassroots America is a reminder that small-town communities still know how to deliver big-time results — something the political class in Albany should remember.
History and Heritage – With a Twist
There’s a certain poetry to the Belmont Stakes being held at Saratoga, even if it’s temporary. Known as one of America’s oldest and most scenic racecourses, the venue exudes the tradition many feel racing has lost in modern times.
“Saratoga has served our fans and stakeholders extremely well as the temporary home of the Belmont Stakes during the construction of a new Belmont Park on Long Island,” said NYRA President Dave O’Rourke.
This year’s race only added to the track’s legacy. In dramatic fashion, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty outran Journalism — who had taken the Preakness — to capture the Belmont’s $2 million purse.
The Finish Line Is in Sight
All eyes now turn to 2026, the final year the Belmont Stakes will be hosted at Saratoga. NYRA has confirmed that construction at Belmont Park is still on track for a September opening that year. After that, the Triple Crown will return home.
“Belmont Park will always be the home of the Belmont Stakes and we look forward to its return to the newly reimagined Belmont in 2027,” said O’Rourke.
For now, the spotlight belongs to upstate New York — and fans are making the most of it. The 2026 Belmont Stakes is already set for Saturday, June 6, and will once again run at 1.25 miles due to Saratoga’s track configuration.
This unexpected chapter in the Belmont story has been a resounding success — but like all good things, it’s nearing its end.
Whether it’s about progress, politics, or profit, one thing is clear: Saratoga’s moment in the racing sun has been one for the history books.
