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There are many horseracing opportunities for race fans in New York State but it is the three largest which most define the sport. These are the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York City, Belmont Park in Long Island and Saratoga Race Course which lies in Saratoga Springs upstate.
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All come under the auspices of the New York Racing Association with all year round racing on offer starting with autumn and winter racing at the Aqueduct, May to mid-July racing at Belmont and July to September at Saratoga. New York races are well attended and a range of race day hospitality options are available.
The Aqueduct is colloquially known as ‘the Big A’ and has held a special place in the hearts of New York City race fans since opening in 1894. Regular improvements and redevelopments throughout the years have helped to maintain its enduring popularity and with superb racing held on three separate tracks there is plenty of scope for enjoying a race day at the Aqueduct throughout the autumn and winter months. Most winter races are held on either the outer or inner dirt tracks with the turf course employed earlier in autumn.
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The Big A hosts many of the main New York races with three Grade I, seven Grade II, and over 20 Grade III races in addition to a series of non-graded fixtures. The only race track in New York City, the Aqueduct has its own subway station, open during racedays from 11am to 7pm. Just outside Queens, in Nassau County, Long Island, lies Belmont Park which has long been recognised as an elite track in horseracing.
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Often termed the Championship Track, Belmont has been a happy hunting ground for most of the world’s greatest horses, including no less than 11 winners of the Triple Crown.
Belmont Park certainly has an air of sophistication and style and is most famous as the home of the Belmont stakes, which is the final leg of the Triple Crown after the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Other notable races include the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Suburban Handicap, and Metropolitan Handicap, all run on the dirt course with the turf track hosting races such as the Bowling Green Handicap and Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes. The perfect environment for horseracing, the ivy-clad grandstand and traditional feel of the course at Belmont evoke all the history, elegance and style of New York races.
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As with the other two main venues for New York races, Saratoga has three tracks but in this case two turf and one dirt track. One of the most highly regarded horseracing venues in the states, 14 Grade I races are held at Saratoga with many more Grade II and III races too.
The course also stages Grade I and Grade II steeplechase events. Twilight racing is a recent feature at the old course and in spite of its rich traditions and classic appeal Saratoga Race Course is a thriving contemporary sporting attraction.
All three NY courses offer a wealth of options for racegoers from discount family packages to corporate hospitality. What they also share is the highest possible standards of horseracing.
This website is operated by Websitebrokers Limited and is not affiliated to any one racecourse or group of racecourses. |
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