History Coming to Saratoga with Belmont Stakes

For the first time ever, Belmont Stakes is coming to Saratoga, New York! The four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival features 24 stakes races with purses totaling over $10 million! 

This year, the 2024 Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga Race Course while a new and re-imagined Belmont Park is constructed. Because of this, the race will be contested at 1 ¼ miles rather than the typical 1 ½ miles.  

Exciting races await at Belmont Stakes! | Photo courtesy of Facebook.com/belmontstakes

Belmont on Broadway

Beyond the races, a six-day celebration will be taking place in the week leading up to the stakes. Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 9 is stacked with fun events for all race enthusiasts – and you don’t need tickets for the race itself to join in on the festivities! Enjoy free concerts, watch parties for those without tickets, storefront window decorating contests, and more.

On June 4, the event will kick off with “Embrace the Belmont” at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, a specilized event for local business owners to leanr more aboit horseracing, and why it brings so many people to Saratoga. Wednesday, June 5 there will be a free concert right on Broadway by the Blues Traveler. Thursday marks the beginning of the Belmont Stakes Artist Festival featuring some of thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated artists who will be on site selling original artwork, prints, and memorabillia. That evening will be the Belmont Gala fundraiser to support the National Musuem of Racing and Hall of Fame. Friday, June 7 there will be a meet and greet with Belmont at Saratoga poster artists, Greg Montgomery as well as several performances throughout the day including Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Hardy, and Marty Rock.

Saturday, June 8 will begin with a morning social at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. There will also be an opportunity to meet the miniature horse “Upset” named after a famed horse of the 1919 Sanford Stakes. Then various watch parties will be held throughout Downtown so everyone can watch the big race! The festival will finish on Sunday with the Opera Saratoga Gala in which Canfield Casino will be transformed into Monte Carlo meets Sotheby’s – a perfect way to cap off this phenomenal weeked. Check out the Discover Saratoga website to view a full schedule events and purchase tickets.

What to Expect

Belmont Stakes is an opportunity to go full out with your fashion. Attendees lean into elegance and refinery while highlighting summery colors and bright patterns. And of course, horse racing attire is incomplete without a fantastic hat or fascinator.  

However, what people wear also depends on their ticket level. Those in the backyard tend to opt for more casual looks while those in more exclusive areas pull out all the stops!  

Check out the website’s What to Wear section to get some fashion inspiration.  

The festival would not be complete without a variety of food and beverage options. Throughout the grounds will be several food trucks such as Anthi’s Greek Specialties, El Toro Rojo, Mac Truck, Walter’s Hot Dogs, and more, to keep you fueled for this exciting event.

History of the Stakes  

The Belmont Stakes is named after August Belmont, a prominent financier in New York politics and society who was very involved with horse racing, his name even intertwined with the history of the Kentucky Derby.  

The Belmont is the oldest of the three Triple Crown events and the fourth oldest race in North America. The first running of the Belmont Stakes was in 1867 in Jerome Park.  

Secretariat’s 31-length victory at the 1973 Belmont Stakes became the world record for a mile and a half on dirt at 2:24 – an iconic moment in horse racing history. With this wine, Secretariat became the ninth horse to win all three Triple Crown events.  

Event Tickets 

Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the type of ticket purchased. Ticket levels are as follows: General Admission, Reserved Seating, Premium Hospitality, Box Seats, and the Belmont VIP Experience. Purchase single-day tickets here  

*Verified resale tickets for all days may be available through Ticketmaster* 

Photo courtesy of facebook.com/belmontstakes

Race Schedule

Thursday, June 6th  

Belmont Gold Cup – $250,000 

Astoria – $150,000 

Jersey Girl – $150,000 

Tremont – $150,00 

Friday, June 7th  

New York Presented by Rivers Casino – $750,000 

DK Horse Acorn – $500,000 

Just a Game –  $500,000 

Intercontinental – $200,000 

Saturday, June 8th  

Belmont Stakes – $2,000,000 

Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap – $1,000,000 

Resorts World Casino Manhattan – $1,000,000 

Ogden Phipps – $500,000 

Jaipur – $500,000 

Woody Stephens – $500,000 

True North – $350,000 

Suburban – $350,000 

Poker – $350,000 

Sunday, June 9th  

Beverly R. Steinman (Steeplechase) – $150,000 

Commentator – $200,000 

Critical Eye – $200,000 

Kingston – $125,000 

Mount Vernon –$125,000 

Mike Lee – $125,000 

Bouwerie – $125,000 

Take Amtrak to the Belmont Stakes

Attend the races via Amtrak to the Saratoga Springs Station—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! The station is 2.8 miles away from the Saratoga Race Course making it an easy and convenient option to get to the event.

Get picked up from the Saratoga Springs Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Saratoga office today at 518-587-0687.