The New York Racing Association announced May 7 the stakes schedule for the fall meet at the reimagined Belmont Park, which will open for live racing Sept. 18 following a multiyear redevelopment project to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island, N.Y.
The consolidation of NYRA's downstate racing operations at Belmont will usher in an expanded fall meet featuring 32 graded events among 72 stakes races worth $17.7 million in total purses. Highlighted by a series of major Saturday race days beginning in September and continuing through Cigar Mile Handicap day, the fall meet will conclude Dec. 6.
Centered around a five-story grandstand featuring an array of fan amenities and hospitality offerings, Belmont Park will open with four newly constructed racetracks including the main dirt track, two turf courses and a 1-mile synthetic oval. Beyond the new grandstand, expanded paddock area, and modernized racing and training infrastructure, NYRA has unlocked the Belmont Park infield to provide fans and the surrounding community with more generally accessible green space than ever before.
NYRA will celebrate a new era Sept. 18, with an opening-day program anchored by the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1), which returns to Belmont Park after being held at Saratoga Race Course from 2021-25. The Jockey Club Gold Cup provides a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
On Sept. 26, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) will headline a program to feature the $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G2T), a Challenge Series race for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T); the $250,000 Vosburgh Stakes (G3), a Win and You're In to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1); and the $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2).
Four Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races await Oct. 3 as part of a lucrative program designed to showcase emerging stars from the juvenile division. Headlined by the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) (Breeders' Cup Juvenile, G1), Oct. 3 will feature the $500,000 Frizette Stakes (G1), the $250,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, G1T), the $250,000 Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, G1T), the $200,000 Futurity Stakes (G3T) (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, G1T), and the $200,000 Matron Stakes (G3T).
Among various notable additions to the fall meet, Cigar Mile Handicap day transitions to its new home at Belmont Park Dec. 5. Headlined by the $250,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2), NYRA has added the $250,000 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) to a program including the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2), $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2), and $250,000 Elite Power Stakes (G3).
Last contested at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024, the Brooklyn reclaims its position on the NYRA stakes schedule in 2026 and will be run at the traditional 1 1/2-mile distance on the main track.
The Belmont Stakes (G1) will return to its Long Island home in 2027. In addition, Belmont Park has been selected to host the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will mark the first edition of the Breeders' Cup to be held in New York state since 2005.
For the complete 2026 Belmont Park fall meet stakes schedule, please visit here.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
