Saratoga, Belmont Changes Approved by Regulators

New York regulators have approved a proposal by the New York Racing Association to extend this summer's Saratoga Race Course meet by eight days and adjust Belmont Park's spring and early summer session.

The calendar change is intended to provide an additional window for planned construction on a large project at Belmont racetrack, including the start of a new arena complex to house the NHL's New York Islanders.

The number of race dates, however, will not grow by starting the Saratoga meet a week earlier—July 11 through Sept. 2. Instead, the meet will have two dark days a week, Mondays and Tuesdays, instead of the traditional one dark day.

The NYRA board approved the change at a closed-door meeting last week and submitted the racing calendar plan to the New York State Gaming Commission, which regulates Thoroughbred racing in New York.

Racing interests and Saratoga officials have been growing nervous that NYRA has waited this long to announce its summer meet schedule, especially given the housing shortages that hit the busy upstate city when the track and nearby entertainment venues are in full swing in July and August.

The 2019 Saratoga meet again will offer 40 days of racing, as it has since 2010. One race day will be on a Monday: Labor Day. Had it adhered to its usual schedule, the 2019 Saratoga meet would have commenced July 19.

The Belmont spring/summer meet will run April 26-July 7, NYRA officials announced.

The schedules for the two tracks were adjusted based on construction timelines provided by state and private developers for a mixed-use, mega-development that will include the Islanders' arena as well as restaurant and retail space in an area adjacent to Belmont's track. NYRA officials said the start of the construction period could have proven disruptive to Belmont racing operations without the schedule changes.

 A precise timetable has not yet been announced by the state for the construction project that could begin in the second quarter of 2019.

"Given the initial and proposed timelines for the potential construction of a new arena at Belmont Park, we believe it is the responsible action to move our racing operations to Saratoga Race Course slightly earlier than usual this summer,'' said NYRA interim CEO David O'Rourke in a written statement. He said NYRA appreciated the patience of various stakeholders while NYRA worked on a scheduling change.

NYRA has stressed the change is for the 2019 meets and won't necessarily return next year.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said it supports NYRA's move and understands the construction work requires "flexibility and accommodation" from the Thoroughbred industry.

"While it presents certain complications, we all get to spend five extra days a year in Saratoga, which is always good for the soul,'' said NYTHA president Joseph Appelbaum.

In a press release, NYRA offered comments in support of the Saratoga calendar change from the mayor of the city and a local business group.

NYRA has not released its full stakes schedule for the two meets. The Belmont Stakes (G1) will be June 8, with the Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 3 and the Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 24.