There is an age-old adage that goes, “The only constant is change.” Well friends, whether we like it or not, this archaic saying rings true even inside the staunchly traditional realm of thoroughbred horse racing. In fact, I can even emphatically attest that the “Sport of Kings” has a far different complexion compared to when I placed my first wager three decades ago. Moreover, there is a modern movement to renovate and even, in some cases, completely redesign the three storied cathedrals which host thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown Series (i.e., Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park).
The older I get, the more enamored I become with the Belmont Stakes. Truth be told, this makes little sense and frankly, I have every reason to abhor the Triple Crown’s third jewel. See, my win-loss (betting) record concerning the “Test of a Champion” is downright abysmal, however when it comes to the Big Apple’s biggest race, I suppose I’m just a glutton for punishment. That said, perhaps the comprehensive “face lift” that I am about to chronicle will impart a small grain of good luck come 2026.
Before we delve into the epic transfiguration that is taking place against the backdrop of Elmont, NY (the home of Belmont Park), let’s take a brief look back at the illustrious history of one of thoroughbred horse racing’s most revered ovals. Originally opened on May 4th, 1905, Belmont Park was the brainchild of August Belmont Jr. who built his hippodrome in honor of his late father, August Belmont Sr. (not only a figure who helped save thoroughbred horse racing in New York in the late 1800’s, but also the individual whom the Belmont Stakes is named after).
At the dawn of the 1960’s, Belmont Park started to show signs of acute wear and tear. Many necessary components and a vast number of amenities were literally disintegrating and, in the spring of 1963, two different engineering audits reported that the grandstand was unfit for habitation due to age induced skeletal failings. This was true to the extent that even some of the support beams within the main grandstand were twisting in the shape of the letter “S”.
Subsequent to a five-year renovation, Belmont Park was re-opened on May 20th, 1968. The main grandstand now had the capacity to seat over 100,000 spectators making it America’s largest thoroughbred horse racing stadium. (Even this ludicrous capacity was challenged on June 5th, 2004 when 120,319 fans turned up to witness Triple Crown hopeful Smarty Jones fall just short to a 36-1 longshot named Birdstone.) Ultimately, Belmont Park was closed again in 2022 due to both normal erosion and so the facilities could be upgraded to host year-round thoroughbred horse racing and training.
The third and culminating edition of Belmont Park, which will officially open in September of 2026, is paired with what amounts to a $455 million price tag. It’s also worth noting that this is the first “from the ground up” thoroughbred racetrack venture that has taken place in America in forty years. However, ahead of detailing all the “bells and whistles”, I want to congratulate the NYRA (New York Racing Association) for preserving the one operational aspect that sets Belmont Park apart from every other North American racetrack.
Not counting a handful of ovals that are classified as “bull rings” (these strips measure 3/4 of a mile around), every racetrack on our continent spans one mile in circumference, save one. Totally unique in its configuration, Belmont Park’s main track measures 1 ½ miles and due to its wide sweeping turns and lengthy home stretch, it is considered the “fairest” racetrack in the land. Two separate turf courses are situated inside Belmont Park’s main track and logically, they are likewise the largest of their kind in the U.S. The brand new 1-mile synthetic tapeta strip that is being installed inside Belmont Park’s turf courses comes with a five-star safety rating and will help pave the way for New York’s first all-weather year-round thoroughbred horse racing meet!
Belmont Park’s new main grandstand will not be as ponderous as its predecessor; nevertheless, it’s set to be a bone-fide esthetic beauty that will be capable of comfortably housing more than its fair share of turf zealots. State-of-the-art luxury suites, local business blocks and various exotic concessions will festoon this structure’s corridors yet there is one contemporary feature that I’m particularly excited about. So, a tunnel that will connect the grandstand with Belmont Park’s 45-acre infield will allow tens of thousands of additional patrons to congregate inside the property’s manicured core on major event days like the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival!
The forthcoming rendition of Belmont Park will levy staggering economic prosperity in Long Island and the surrounding areas. In just the short-term alone, 3,700 good paying construction jobs have been created. When talking long term, dependable monetary models show that the latest edition of “Big Sandy” (Belmont Park’s primary nickname; due to the main track’s “beach like” consistency) will generate over $150 million in annual economic output. This is not to mention the over $10 million in new annual state and local tax revenue.
In one respect, the forthcoming version of Belmont Park has already “won” in terms of ROI since “Big Sandy” will be the backdrop of the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. This will mark the first time the Breeders’ Cup has returned to Elmont, NY since 2005. Finally, in the words of NYRA President and CEO David O’ Rourke, “The transformation of Belmont Park will secure the future of thoroughbred racing in New York state, create thousands of jobs and drive tourism to Long Island and the region for decades to come.”
As mentioned earlier, Belmont Park is not the only Triple Crown Series host site that is committed to keeping up with the times. As advertised, Pimlico Race Course is following suit and most of the facility was scheduled to be leveled immediately following this year’s 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes. Now according to the Maryland Stadium Authority (the agency that is supervising Pimlico Race Course’s reconstruction), Pimlico’s forthcoming clubhouse has gained its inspiration from storied Baltimore landmarks like the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park and the original Pimlico clubhouse. Future patrons can also expect to see an on-site hotel and contiguous convention spaces.
Naturally, many who comprise “Horse Racing Nation” were concerned about the fate of the Preakness Stakes in leu of catching wind that Pimlico Race Course would undergo a lengthy recalibration. Thankfully, Laurel Park, which is situated 24 miles south of Baltimore, will host the Preakness Stakes until that time when Pimlico Race Course makes its triumphant rise from the ashes. A top-notch venue in its own right, Laurel Park has acted as a grand stage for elite equine performances since 1911.
In that it showcases planet Earth’s most coveted horse race, Churchill Downs refuses to be outdone in terms of garish and gaudy upgrades. In summation, the home of the Kentucky Derby recently put the brakes on a multi-year series of capital projects that when all is said and done, would have cost close to one billion dollars. The projects were recently put on hold due to multiple reasons but mainly uncertainty in construction costs and other market conditions. Track management considers the project’s budget a small price to pay in exchange for exponentially enhancing the hallowed acreage that sprawls beneath thoroughbred horse racing’s most recognized monument, the famed Twin Spires
If you tuned into either the 2024 or 2025 edition of the Kentucky Derby, then you gazed upon the centerpiece of the aforementioned ten figure restoration. A $200 million undertaking measuring 12,000 sq. ft. that took two years to construct, Churchill Downs’ new paddock is the most progressive saddling enclosure ever conceived by the hand of man. Complete with tiered standing areas that can accommodate 3,000 spectators, this Roman Colosseum-like enclosure also boasts an adjacent: Woodford Reserve Paddock Club, Club SI (Sports Illustrated) and a secret (and mostly off-limits) Bourbon Barrel Tunnel.
Three other major upgrades tied to Churchill Downs that are in the project scope, when and if it happens, include: The Skye Project ($455 to $465 million), The Conservatory Project ($320 to $330 million) and the Infield General Admission project ($60 to $70 million). The Skye Project will focus on installing 13,300 improved seats, countless hospitality coves and a plethora of world-class amenities in that area situated just past the finish line. The Conservatory Project will replace the temporary seats in the infield (which line the homestretch) with 7,000 permanent premium spots and a total of 36 VIP suites. The Infield General Admission Project will introduce three new brick and mortar infield buildings that will amplify the comfort of those attending the Kentucky Derby.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that as I compiled this article, an overwhelming sense of joy enveloped my psyche. See, ever since I fell in love with the “Sport of Kings”, I have heard naysayers spew how horse racing, along with its illustrious Triple Crown Series, is destined to be entirely defunct. Well, considering a fortune that would make King Solomon envious has been wielded to preserve Belmont Park, Pimlico Race Course and Churchill Downs, I’d say the future of thoroughbred Horse Racing in America and the Triple Crown Series is infallibly secure; and for this, yours truly is eternally grateful!
By Eric Floyd
