Live Racing at Belmont Park Extended Through Nov. 7
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Horses break from the gate at Belmont Park
The New York Racing Association announced Oct. 9 that the Belmont Park fall meet, originally scheduled to conclude Oct. 31, will be extended to include three additional dates from Nov. 5-7. These dates were originally scheduled to be run at Aqueduct Racetrack as opening weekend of the Aqueduct fall meet.
New York State is continuing to operate a COVID-19 mass vaccination site throughout the first floor of Aqueduct. As a result, the facility remains closed to the public. In order to accommodate racing fans who would ordinarily experience the Breeders' Cup World Championships—slated for Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar—via simulcast at Aqueduct, NYRA will shift the first three days of the Aqueduct fall meet to Belmont Park.
"NYRA is committed to supporting the ongoing effort to vaccinate New York, and Aqueduct Racetrack is an important piece of that puzzle," said NYRA president and CEO Dave O'Rourke. "This schedule adjustment provides our fans the opportunity to experience world-class racing on-track while enjoying Breeders' Cup weekend at Belmont Park."
Belmont Park will host five stakes originally scheduled for Aqueduct, beginning with the $150,000 Tempted Stakes and $100,000 Atlantic Beach Stakes Nov. 5. On Nov. 6, the stakes action will include the $150,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (G3) and the $100,000 Stewart Manor Stakes. The extended Belmont fall meet will now conclude Nov. 7 with the $150,000 Nashua Stakes (G3).
The 15-day Aqueduct fall meet will now begin Nov. 11 and continue through Dec. 5. A limited number of licensed owners, trainers, and staff will be permitted on-site at Aqueduct. NYRA will provide updates with regard to fan access to Aqueduct Racetrack as new information becomes available.