Courtesy NYRA
By Paul Post
The Spa City has hit the trifecta of Belmont Stakes fortunes as the historic race will be back next year for a third and final time.
Dust is still settling from this year’s five-day racing festival and officials are already making plans for an even bigger and better event.
“By all measure, the 2025 Belmont Racing Festival supported by the popular Belmont on Broadway concert was an overwhelming community and economic success,” said Greg Connors, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation president. “Feedback from our organizational stakeholders, business owners, the hospitality industry as well as city and county residents has been almost unanimously favorable and positive. Business and community organizers took lessons learned from our 2024 experience and made changes to our 2025 efforts to the benefit of all concerned.”
“We do look forward to welcoming the international and national audience back to Saratoga County in 2026,” he said. “The substantial economic impact on not only Saratoga, but the Capital Region is significant. Historically, the traditional Saratoga meet contributes an estimated $9 million per day to the local economy.”
“And, with our partners in government, business and community development sectors, we have worked as a team, for the last two years, to showcase our community to the world and the world-class thoroughbred racing industry, that Saratoga County and the City of Saratoga Springs is capable and ready to handle such an historic horse racing event of national and international interest,” Connors said.
The Belmont was moved upstate because Belmont Park is undergoing a nearly half-billion-dollar renovation and will host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup. Originally slated for two years in Saratoga, a third year was added to accommodate construction without interruption.
“Bringing the race back to Saratoga next year will once again expand the audience for this storied leg of the Triple Crown and ensure fans continue to enjoy the full experience,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
This year’s Belmont, won by Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty, generated an all-sources handle of more than $55 million and drew paid attendance of 46,243.
Next year’s Belmont Stakes will be held Saturday, June 6, and will again be contested at 1.25 miles instead of the traditional 1.5 miles due to Saratoga’s track configuration.
But the free Belmont on Broadway concert featuring Gin Blossoms drew many music lovers as well as racing fans.
Embassy Suites General Manager Dan Fortier said his hotel sold almost three times more Wednesday-night rooms this year compared with 2024, and at higher racing-season rates.
“It was like Christmas in June,” he said. “It’s been absolutely great for business. Last year we marketed to the track crowd. This year we marketed to the concert crowd. They (Gin Blossoms) had fans who were just thrilled to be here. It was purely for the music, purely for the group.”
Fortier added, “When someone comes in on a Wednesday and checks out on Thursday, they were there for the event on Wednesday. Exposure wise, this is some of the best publicity Saratoga could ever have asked for. Some Gin Blossoms fans found the next vacation spot they want to come back to.”
“It wasn’t exclusively a track crowd,” Fortier said. “I think the format is the selling point. A beautiful, beautiful town. Historic, shopping, food, night life, entertainment and concerts on the main drag right in the middle of town. You don’t find that environment too many places across our country.”
Fortier noted, “They might go to the Kentucky Derby, they might do their racing in California or Florida, but they came because it was the Belmont, and discovered Saratoga. Then they discovered the track, which speaks for itself on so many levels – the ambience, the atmosphere, the every-man track that Saratoga is. That will last for many years because of the exposure we get from the Belmont. I’m glad we get another shot at it next year, too.”
“It’s been an honor for the local and regional community to help serve as stewards for the Belmont Stakes during the construction of the new Belmont Park, and we are excited to do so for one final year,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said. “The Chamber and our partners are already working on plans for a third Belmont on Broadway kick-off concert in 2026 to support the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.”
Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival back to Saratoga in 2026 for the third consecutive year. Hosting this iconic event is not only a tremendous honor, it’s a testament to Saratoga County’s ability to safely and successfully accommodate major events on a national scale. The Belmont Stakes brings a remarkable boost to our local economy and provides incredible exposure for our community, our small businesses, and the world-class hospitality that defines Saratoga.”
New York Racing Association President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said, “Saratoga has served our fans and stakeholders extremely well as the temporary home of the Belmont Stakes during the construction of a new Belmont Park on Long Island. As we prepare for the opening of the new Belmont Park in the fall of 2026, NYRA is pleased to bring the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga for a third and final time next June. Belmont Park will always be the home of the Belmont Stakes and we look forward to its return to the newly reimagined Belmont in 2027.”