Belmont makeover...

[affirmedny]

Originally Posted by alhattab

The timetable mentioned in the DRF piece was May 2019-2021 (ready for the 2021-2022 NHL season so figure September 2021). So, where does NYRA hold the 2020 and 2021 Belmont Stakes? Can't be at Aqueduct there isn't enough room. That leaves 2 possibilities, but only one reasonable choice. The first possibility is Monmouth Park, but there's no way that NY politicians allow the money out of state. That leaves Saratoga as the only other viable option. Can't run 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga and not sure they can even run at 1 3/8 miles, but I think they can do 1 5/8.

The Belmont was run on Aqueduct's 1 1/8 track from 1963-1967, why wouldn't it be able to be run on Saratoga's 1 1/8 track?

[alhattab]

Originally Posted by affirmedny

The Belmont was run on Aqueduct's 1 1/8 track from 1963-1967, why wouldn't it be able to be run on Saratoga's 1 1/8 track?

Good point. The configs appear to be very similar. I found a few videos of the 1964 Belmont. I linked the newsreel one below (there is a longer 9 minute one as well). I believe the start is mid-turn, which would make sense as that is where the Big A's 3/8 pole stands. I didn't think starting on the turn would be a viable option.

They could always take a page from Gulfstream's book and call it 1 1/2 miles but start it at the 1/2 mile pole!

YouTube

[Tom]

Why would they go to all the trouble of moving to Saratoga twine in the same year? The logistics for everyone would be huge.

It would make more sense that if they cannot use Belmont to stay at Aqueduct.

[Denny]

Originally Posted by Tom

Why would they go to all the trouble of moving to Saratoga twine in the same year? The logistics for everyone would be huge.

It would make more sense that if they cannot use Belmont to stay at Aqueduct.

Tom,

I already said that in comment #26. Aqueduct.

PA says he knows everything though, so guess that's not going to happen.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Denny

PA says he knows everything though, so guess that's not going to happen.

not worth my time

[lamboguy]

Originally Posted by affirmedny

The Belmont was run on Aqueduct's 1 1/8 track from 1963-1967, why wouldn't it be able to be run on Saratoga's 1 1/8 track?

please, leave the Belmont Stakes along, its the greatest race every single year.`