Belmont Park, located in Elmont, New York, is one of the most iconic racetracks in the United States. Known as “The Championship Track,” it has hosted nearly every legendary Thoroughbred in racing history. Opened in 1905 and operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), Belmont Park is best known as the home of the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown. With its vast oval and storied history, Belmont remains a centerpiece of American horse racing.
Belmont Park Track Details
- Surfaces: Main dirt track (“Big Sandy”), Widener Turf Course, Inner Turf Course
- Configuration: 1½-mile main oval—the largest dirt track in North America
- Facilities: Luxury suites, restaurants, and full simulcast wagering. A $455 million renovation is underway, reopening in 2026.
Belmont Park Featured Races & Events
- Belmont Stakes (G1): The “Test of the Champion,” final leg of the Triple Crown.
- Belmont Derby & Belmont Oaks (G1): Elite international turf events.
- Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1): Prestigious fall race for older horses.
- Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile, G1): World-renowned one-mile dirt race.
- Breeders’ Cup: Hosted in 1990, 1995, 2001, 2005; returning in 2027.
- Notable Champions: Secretariat, American Pharoah, Justify, Easy Goer, and Cigar.
Belmont Park Horses & Race Types
- Belmont Park hosts Thoroughbred flat racing only.
- Distances: Sprints to classic 1½-mile routes.
- Divisions: Juveniles, 3-year-old classics, handicaps, and older horses.
Belmont Park History & Legacy
- Founded: 1905 by August Belmont Jr.
- Renovations: Major rebuild in 1968; full modernization by 2026.
- Historic Moments: Secretariat’s 31-length win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes (world record 2:24 for 1½ miles). American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018) clinched Triple Crowns here.
Belmont Park Odds & Betting
- Belmont odds are among the most popular markets in horse racing.
- Daily Belmont Park betting odds: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 4, Pick 6.
- Belmont Stakes odds draw global betting attention, rivaled only by the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup.
- Available through online racebook at BetUS.
- Belmont’s “Big Sandy” surface favors stamina, shaping betting strategies.
Belmont Park Records And Stats
- Fastest Belmont Stakes: Secretariat (1973) – 2:24 (still the world record for 1½ miles).
- Largest Margin of Victory: Secretariat – 31 lengths (1973).
- Attendance Record: 120,139 (2004 Belmont Stakes).
- Biggest Purse: Belmont Stakes currently offers $2 million.
