Promise and possibility as new Belmont Park takes shape

All eyes will turn to Churchill Downs Saturday, as horse racing enthusiasts gear up for the Kentucky Derby, the first event of the Triple Crown.

But closer to home, hundreds of workers are readying Long Island's own glorious racing centerpiece for its moment in the winner's circle. 

Once it's complete, the ongoing $575 million remake of Belmont Park will revitalize the 400 acres of land there and hopefully establish new standards for horse safety. Its impact is likely to ripple through the region, providing an important economic jolt, jobs and new entertainment options.

The promise and possibility of Belmont, one of the region's gems, became particularly clear during a recent visit to explore the construction of the grandstand and grounds across the vast space.

The four new tracks — one synthetic, two turf and one dirt — are in place, awaiting final touches. A new tunnel will allow fans into the complex's infield for the first time — an infield that's 1.5 times bigger than Churchill Downs'. Inside the more modern, far more intimate grandstand, suites, box seats, outdoor terraces and even a sports bar are taking shape, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide magnificent views of the tracks to one side and the paddock to the other.

While that paddock is more than double the size of the old one, one thing hasn't changed: The centuries-old white pine tree that Belmontgoers love remains in place. And the Belmont backyard won't be the only communal area; the complex features 21 acres of open space.

"It's all about getting people close to the animals, and adding as much green space as possible," said New York Racing Association chief executive David O'Rourke. "We're bringing the park back to Belmont." 

Even amid the mounds of dirt and construction vehicles, it's easy to picture families watching the majestic horses, kids playing in activity spaces, and fans filling the grandstand, infield and outdoor spaces. While the grandstand itself will hold just 27,000, compared with the previous, and often unfilled, 90,000-person space, NYRA officials expect that with the new open areas, they'll accommodate more spectators than before.

That'll make next year's Breeders' Cup and Belmont Stakes, especially if there is a horse contending for the Triple Crown, days to remember. But Belmont will start reopening this September. Thanks to the new winterized synthetic track and heated grandstand, racing will continue through early July annually. 

The upgraded tracks and amenities, NYRA officials say, will attract owners, trainers and fans from around the world. It'll enliven a complex that employs 1,800 and is home to 1,000 backstretch workers and 1,600 horses. 

And O'Rourke envisions a park that'll remain vibrant on nonracing days too, bustling with community gatherings, school field trips, weddings and more.

That's a long way from where the land was nearly two decades ago, when developer and horse owner Michael Dubb first joined the NYRA board.

"It was the most underutilized 400 acres in the metropolitan area, in my opinion," Dubb recalled.

On Long Island, there are plenty of underutilized plots of land, thanks in part to the myriad hurdles that often accompany proposals. With UBS Arena, a walkable retail village and the new racing complex, Belmont, now a sports and entertainment destination, has become the rare success story. That's in part because it's simpler to build on state land.

"You have to believe in the future and you have to take chances," Dubb said. "It's nice to see something come true."

Columnist Randi F. Marshall's opinions are her own.