It was a strange but successful return to racing at Belmont Park Wednesday.

The iconic racetrack in Elmont hosted its opening day for its spring-summer meet. The 10-race card represented the first sporting event in New York since COVID-19 shut down the sports world in mid-March.

Due to pandemic guidelines, Belmont's massive grandstands remained empty.

Every trainer and jockey at the park was required to take temperature checks when they came to the track, as did all of their working staff.

Racing will continue at Belmont through the week and every week up until July 13, providing a boost for fans and workers.

Thoroughbred racing is responsible for 19,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in annual economic impact.

In less than three weeks, one of horse racing's crown jewels will be held in Elmont when the Belmont Stakes makes up the first leg of the Triple Crown on June 20. The race is usually the final leg of the prestigious set of races.