Saratoga’s Final Belmont Signals Death of Aqueduct and a New Era for New York Racing

The 158th Belmont Stakes doesn’t have the marquee value of a potential Triple Crown winner. But the final “Test of Champions,” to be held at Saratoga Racecourse, is not only a poignant homecoming for a trailblazing trainer, but represents the passing of the torch in a seismic, multi-billion transformation of New York horse racing. Golden Tempo makes his first appearance since his surprise win in the Kentucky Derby, which made Cherie DeVaux a national celebrity as the first female trainer to win the Run for the Roses. The Belmont Stakes serves as a homecoming for Ms. DeVaux, who was born in Saratoga Springs before growing up in Florida and has plenty of relatives who live nearby, including her parents, Butch and Janet DeVaux.“To come back here with a horse of this caliber, to a track that practically raised me, is difficult to put into words,” Ms. DeVaux, 44, told reporters earlier this week. “The history here is palpable, but right now, Golden Tempo and I have a job to finish.”The race, run over 10 furlongs, shapes up as a rematch of the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago in which Golden Tempo went from last place to first at 23-1 odds, beating Renegade by neck. Jose Ortiz will be aboard the Derby winner again for the Belmont, starting from post No. 9 in the nine-horse field barring any late scratches.Despite Golden Tempo’s historic win in the Derby, Renegade, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., is the morning favorite at 2-1 odds starting out of post No. 4. Mr. Pletcher also sends out Powershift (12-1), while trainer Chad Brown had three horses entered: Ottinho (20-1), Growth Equity (12-1), and Emerging Market (6-1). Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott and a fourth-place finisher at Churchill Downs, is at 3-1 along with Commandment (6-1) trained by Brad Cox. Preakness winner Napoleon Solo is not entered but is targeting the G1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 18.Regardless who wins, the race carries huge historical significance. This weekend marks the third and final year that the Belmont Stakes will be contested at Saratoga, which has served as a temporary venue while Belmont Park at Queens completes a massive $455 million renovation. The old cavernous grandstand has been demolished to make way for a sleek, state-of-the-art facility set to open in September.Meanwhile, hosting the Belmont has been a roaring success for the sleepy spa town of Saratoga Springs, raising its racing profile and injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.The Belmont Festival has turned into a five-day event, featuring racing, concerts and festivals attracting an estimated 120,000 people to the Capital Region, including 50,000 attending the race. The week-long activities generate an estimated $50 million, benefiting local businesses and the regional economy.“It’s a great shot in the arm for all of us here in Saratoga,” local businessman Tom Wysocki, told Channel WRGB in Albany. “The shops, the restaurants, the hotels, all the traffic comes through. Also, it’s kind of a new audience for us because a lot of these people don’t generally come here during the summertime as much.”The impending completion of the new Belmont Park triggers a permanent domino effect across the New York racing circuit. Not only will the Belmont Stakes return to its home, but the modernization signals the end of 130 years of racing at Aqueduct Racetrack at South Ozone Park, Queens.Known affectionately as “The Big A,” the track will permanently close on June 28 as all racing consolidates into the new Belmont Park. Opened in 1894, Aqueduct Racetrack has hosted legendary races, historic horses, and cultural events. Secretariat was retired at the track in 1973, and in 1995, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass at the track before a crowd of 75,000.Only memories will remain once the track is demolished to create a 100-acre redevelopment site in the heart of Queens. Early plans, according to state officials, are to use the state-owned land for housing, retail developments, and community and public open spaces. Part of the land will also be utilized for the $5.5 billion expansion of the adjacent Resorts World Casino.New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, said last month it is important to fully utilize the land. “The Aqueduct site represents a significant opportunity,” she said, “and through this community-driven process, we will ensure its future reflects the immediate priorities of Queens residents, while expanding housing, economic opportunity and public amenities for all New Yorkers for years to come.”While there’s no chance for a Triple Crown winner to emerge, the 2026 Belmont Stakes serves as a bridge between horse racing’s storied past and its highly modernized multi-billion dollar future.

Saratoga’s Final Belmont Signals Death of Aqueduct and a New Era for New York Racing

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