Governor Kathy Hochul recently joined officials from the New York Racing Association (NYRA), AECOM Tishman, Populous, and hundreds of union construction workers for a topping out ceremony at Belmont Park in Elmont, Nassau County. The event marked the placement of the final steel beam in a multi-year effort to transform the historic racetrack into a modern racing and entertainment venue. Led by NYRA in partnership with New York State, the $455 million project is one of the largest racetrack redevelopment efforts in the country.
The new Belmont Park will feature expanded grandstands, modernized seating and dining facilities, and state-of-the-art racing infrastructure. Construction has involved over 3,700 union workers in total and is progressing on schedule, with completion expected by fall 2026. The venue is set to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships upon reopening, marking its return to New York for the first time since 2005. According to NYRA and state officials, the project is expected to generate a $155 million economic impact for the surrounding community.
Photograph from topping-out ceremony. Credit: Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
The redevelopment also aims to honor the site’s storied past, including historic moments such as Secretariat’s record-breaking win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes and Julie Krone’s groundbreaking victory as the first woman to win a Triple Crown race. Officials emphasized that the redesign balances this legacy with modern amenities and fan connectivity, including improved circulation through newly constructed tunnels and hospitality options.
“For people who live around here, it just didn’t seem to have a sense of pride around it,” Governor Hochul said. “This is an antiquated facility, its days were numbered, no one had the vision to take it from the status quo to the future, and everyone here was involved in making that happen… 18 months of hard work; 3,700 union members with our hard hats on… I tip my hat to all of you.”
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Horse racing is a disgusting, cruel industry built on animal slavery.
Unfortunately, the metal-on-metal, futuristic design of the new grandstand is already outdated and tiresome. Any references to Belmont’s history are 100% inconsistent with this could-be-anywhere racing facility. Oh well, maybe in 5o yrs (when this gets torn down) NYRA will finally get it right.
I’m with you.
Can we see a rendering?