Construction at Belmont Park forces horse races to temporarily move to Aqueduct Racetrack

Horse racing fans on Long Island will have to travel a little further this fall racing season.

News 12 Staff

Jul 28, 2022, 9:46 PM

Updated 861 days ago

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Horse racing fans on Long Island will have to travel a little further this fall racing season.
The 2022 Belmont Park fall meet will be conducted at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens instead of Elmont due to construction.
The New York Racing Association says the construction project is a major capital improvement that will unlock the 45-acre infield and provide the opportunity to consider the installation of a synthetic track in the future.
The construction will create vehicular and pedestrian tunnels, which will provide access to the Belmont Park infield.
"In addition to fan access and hopefully its use for the local community - those vehicular tunnels to reconstruct the racetrack itself - which is very important for the future of Belmont Park," says Patrick McKenna, of the NYRA.
Racing enthusiasts are hoping that it won't be long before Belmont Park is back open for horse racing.
"I think it's horrible ... because everything is here - it's a beautiful park - I come here during the summertime," says Marco Flores. "Now you got to go all the way to Aqueduct."
The NYRA says it expects the construction to be done by April 2023 just in time for the Belmont Stakes and the spring/summer meet.