The Belmont Stakes, which kicked off in 1867 and is named after the well-known New York financier August Belmont Sr., really stands out in American horse racing. It’s the oldest and definitely the toughest of the Triple Crown races. Known as “The Test of the Champion,” this 1 1/2-mile dirt race puts three-year-old Thoroughbreds to the test on Belmont Park’s expansive oval. Just a heads up, in 2024 and 2025, it was moved to Saratoga while some renovations were happening.
The famous silver trophy, which Belmont’s son had made in 1896 by Tiffany & Co., showcases foundation stallions like Eclipse, Matchem, and Herod, all under the figure of Fenian, the winner from 1869. It truly stands as a lasting symbol of equine excellence. In the 2025 edition, Sovereignty took home the win as the Kentucky Derby champion, riding under jockey Junior Alvarado and trained by Bill Mott. They completed the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:00.69, finishing three lengths ahead of Preakness winner Journalism, while Baeza secured the third spot—just like the Kentucky Derby podium.
Even though it rained earlier, the track turned out to be pretty fast, and the race brought in over 46,000 fans. This was part of a five-day festival that saw more than 110,000 people come through the gates. So, there’s this update about next year’s Belmont Stakes that’s really got the horse racing community buzzing. On X, DRF’s New York correspondent David Grening reported: “Officially official. The 2026 Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga.”
The 2026 Belmont Stakes is set to happen at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. This will be the third year in a row that this iconic event is held away from its usual spot in Elmont. With a projected completion date of September 2026, this temporary relocation occurs during Belmont Park’s massive $455 million restoration.
Officially official. The 2026 Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga.
— David Grening (@DRFGrening) June 13, 2025
The friendly vibe in Saratoga and its track record of successfully hosting the bigger Belmont Festival really influenced this choice. So, how did the public react to this announcement?
This is a developing report…
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