By Richard Rosenblatt
The Belmont Park spring/summer racing meet will not open as scheduled on April 24, and options are being discussed for rescheduling the Belmont Stakes (G1) from June 6 to a later date, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday.
Sir Winston – US Racing Photo
Dave O’Rourke, NYRA’s CEO and President said in a news release that “we are committed to running” the Belmont Stakes in 2020. The meet that leads up to the Saratoga Race Course summer season was set to run from April 24-July 12. The opening of the Saratoga meet remains July 16.
No timeframe was given for when Belmont might open for racing.
The delay is due to the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. New York has become the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States with more than 12,000 COVID-19 deaths as of April 16.
“We are working closely with the New York State Gaming Commission and public health officials to determine a timeline for the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park,” said O’Rourke.
“The health and safety of our racing community is paramount, and any decisions or necessary adjustments to the racing schedule and operations must reflect that priority. I’d like to thank New York’s horsemen and the backstretch community for their dedication and patience as we navigate these uncertain times together.”
NYRA said it is considering several options regarding the 152nd Belmont – the third leg of the Triple Crown – “with all appropriate parties” and among those options are later race dates.
“The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution and American tradition,” said O’Rourke. “We are committed to running the race in 2020 and aim to deliver an announcement in the very near future.”
With the closing of most major racetracks around the country, Churchill Downs already postponed the Kentucky Derby (G1) – the first leg of the Triple Crown – from May 2 to Sept. 5.
The date of the Preakness (G1), which was scheduled for May 16, also will be changed. The thinking has been the Preakness would be rescheduled for Sept. 19, the traditional two weeks after the Derby, and the Belmont would be run Oct. 10, three weeks after the Preakness.
As for Belmont Park, NYRA said that with its approval, beginning April 17, trainers previously stabled there will be allowed to ship in horses who have been relocated during the COVID-19 crisis.
“To align with health department guidance and reduce the spread of the coronavirus, NYRA will not allow these outsider shippers to be accompanied by staff not previously working at Belmont,’’ news release said.
Belmont’s backstretch is home to 585 workers who care for more than 1,300 thoroughbreds stabled on the property. It has remained open to horsemen and operational for training. Owners are not permitted access to the backstretch until further notice.
The last live racing on the NYRA circuit was Sunday, March 15 at Aqueduct. NYRA suspended racing on March 19.
On April 7, 63-year-old Martin Zapata, a groom for New York-based trainer Tom Morley who lived and worked at Belmont Park, died of COVID-19.
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