The New York Racing Association received financial approval on January 14 for construction plans involving the one-mile slide at Racecourse Saratoga and a field tunnel at Belmont Park, but it is not yet possible to say whether the work in Belmont will affect the race schedule in the fall at the Elmont, NY, racetrack.
While securing approvals for several items Friday at the NYRA Financial Oversight Board meeting, Belmont Park’s ability to conduct a fall meeting at Aqueduct race track Nurtured. But later, an NYRA official said it would be too early to comment on that possibility because the schedule of the work at Belmont has yet to be announced.
“There is no final decision yet on moving the fall meeting in Belmont Park to the Aqueduct,” said Pat McKenna, NYRA vice president of communications. “The NYRA is required to make certain assumptions for budgeting purposes, and those assumptions were discussed today with the Franchise Oversight Board. Although it is possible that the Belmont fall meeting will be The project is underway at the Aqueduct, but no final decision will be made on the fall meeting until we have a clear picture of the permitting process and infield tunnel construction progress at Belmont Park. If the tunnel does not allow the meeting to proceed safely at Belmont, it will be moved to the Aqueduct.”
The field tunnel is the first step in NYRA’s plan to renovate Belmont Park so it can host winter races. Those plans are expected to include the construction of a synthetic racing surface. Among the project’s myriad other possibilities is the reconfiguration of the track surface.
“Following the end of the fall meeting at Belmont Park in November, the NYRA began construction of a retaining wall needed for a final tunnel to provide vehicle and pedestrian access to the interior. 55-acre Belmont field The retaining wall project is on schedule and expected to be completed in the spring Following approval today from the Franchise Oversight Board, the NYRA will proceed with the design phase of the tunnel project,” said McKenna. “In the near future, unlocking the patio will allow the NYRA to resurface the Belmont track and determine the feasibility of adding synthetic surfaces to the current configuration. With a significant and permanent reduction in zero In the backyard space provided by the UBS Arena, the arena will become a space for use by fans during major events. Additionally, the NYRA is looking forward to providing open space for the community around Belmont Park.”
The Wilson Chute rebuild at Saratoga is scheduled for the spring and will include a 5 to 9 foot widening of the first turn.
The slide, removed in 1972 to create more parking space, reappeared briefly in 1992.
Artist paints new Post Bar area at Saratoga . Racecourse
“Wilson Chute will only add to the quality and consistency of dirt road racing in Saratoga,” said Glen Kozak, senior vice president of operations and capital projects at NYRA. “It’s thrilling to be able to recreate an element of Saratoga’s history in a way that is sure to prove beneficial for the summer encounter.”
Construction in Saratoga will also include transforming the Post Bar near the lawn into a two-story Post Bar and Paddock Suite.
“The second floor Paddock Suite will feature a climate-controlled bar, lounge and outdoor balcony with sweeping views of the historic Saratoga lawn. Above the newly refurbished Post Bar will remain a structure. outdoor center bar and large scale TVs. Post Bar, one of Saratoga’s most popular fan destinations, will continue to be open to all visitors, ages 21 and over,” McKenna said. “In addition to the new Post Bar, NYRA will be upgrading Tailgate at the Turn and renovating and enhancing franchise areas throughout the campus.”
The NYRA also received approval to convert the Pony Raceway at Belmont Park into a synthetic surface to test how that type of surface would handle winter conditions on Long Island and whether it would feasible for winter races or not.
“NYRA has been studying the development of synthetic surfaces for many years, and we’ve long been interested in how they can complement our racing and training options. Installing a surface The synthetic side on the Belmont Park Racecourse will provide an all-weather training session, says McKenna.
