Francesca LeDonne Photo

Live racing returns to Belmont Park on Friday, September 6

by NYRA Press Office

Plan Your Visit to Beautiful Belmont Park

Turf Triple Series highlights Opening Weekend

Following the conclusion of the 2019 meet at Saratoga Race Course, live racing will return to Belmont Park on Friday for the 37-day fall meet offering 45 stakes worth $11.525 million in purse money and seven Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" qualifiers.

Opening Weekend is highlighted by a blockbuster day of racing on Saturday, September 7, including the inaugural edition of the $1 million Jockey Club Derby, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race offering a berth in the Longines Turf, which will complete the Turf Trinity. The card will also include the first-ever $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks to conclude the Turf Tiara. Additionally, the stakes-laden card will feature the first running of the $300,000 Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on Big Sandy.

NBC will present live coverage and analysis of the Jockey Club Oaks and Jockey Club Derby as part of a nationwide broadcast from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Eastern

NYRA will celebrate the 2019 Turf Triple Series by offering fans $3 general admission tickets, as well as "Triple Specials" that will include $3 Post Parade programs, hot dogs and concessions throughout Belmont Park.

Opening Day on Friday is headlined by the 5th running of the $100,000 Christiecat where a field of nine sophomore fillies will assemble for the six-furlong turf sprint. The Christiecat is slated as Race 7 on Friday's Opening Day card. First post is 3 p.m.

NYRA reminds fans of a series of adjustments to the Belmont Park fall meet in light of the construction of a new arena at Belmont Park for the New York Islanders.

As previously announced, the first 23 days of the 37-day fall meet will be held at Belmont Park before the action shifts to Aqueduct Racetrack for Belmont at the Big A beginning on October 11 and continuing through October 27. The traditional Aqueduct fall meet then picks up on Friday, November 1 and continues through Sunday, December 1.

Beginning on September 6 at Belmont, weekday live racing will feature a first post time of 3 p.m. to ensure the continuity of racing operations during arena construction. On weekdays, the Belmont Café will open for simulcasting at 12 p.m. with all entry gates open to the public at 2 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays at Belmont Park will feature a first post of 1 p.m. with entry gates and the Belmont Café open to the public at 11 a.m.

Vehicle access to Belmont Park will be available only through Gate 5 off Hempstead Turnpike and Gate 8 off Plainfield Avenue. Direct access from the Cross Island Parkway to Belmont Park is no longer available.

Parking at Belmont Park will be $5 in the Silver Lot , $10 in the Gold Lot and complimentary in the Blue Lot. There will be shuttle buses for fans on all Saturdays and on Sunday, Sept. 15 between the Blue Lot and the Clubhouse.

Long Island Railroad (LIRR) service to the Belmont Park station will resume on Friday, October 6. Patrons utilizing the LIRR to Belmont Park will access the grounds via the west end of the Grandstand. The updated and current LIRR schedule is available at http://web.mta.info/lirr/getaways/belmontpark/index.htm.

The Belmont Café will be open for simulcasting on live race days only and will close for the remainder of 2019 on October 6.

During the fall meet at Belmont Park, patrons will have access to the first floor of the Grandstand along with the first and second floors of the Clubhouse. The Belmont Room and Top of The Stretch hospitality areas will remain open on live race days through October 6. 

For additional information on Belmont Park, and the complete fall meet stakes schedule, please visit NYRA.com.