Belmont Park

About

Belmont Park is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Elmont, New York, United States, just east of New York City limits. It is one of the most well known racetracks in the country, as it hosts the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown. The original structure opened on May 4, 1905 and was demolished in 1963. A second grandstand opened in 1968 and was demolished in 2024. The third iteration of Belmont Park opened in September 2026.

Operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), Belmont Park is typically open for racing from late April through mid-July (known as the Spring meet), and again from mid-September through late October (the Fall meet). The race park's main dirt track has earned the nickname, "the Big Sandy", given its prominent overall dimensions (1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km)) and the deep, sometimes tiring surface. Belmont is also sometimes known as "The Championship Track" because almost every major champion in racing history since the early 20th century has competed on the racecourse – including all of the Triple Crown winners. Belmont Park, with its large, wide, sweeping turns and long homestretch, is considered one of the fairest racetracks in America.