construction

The nearly four-year rebuild of the new Belmont Park is scheduled to hit a significant milestone by the end of February, when training on the innermost Tapeta track is set to open. Glen Kozak, the New York Racing Association (NYRA)'s senior vice president of operations and capital projects, delivered that news nugget Friday as part of a broader overview of the track's $455-million reimagining during a meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board (FOB). Before delving into details, Kozak underscored an overall message of "on schedule [and] on...

A new four-story structure called Victory Run, which will include private suites, indoor and outdoor dining, and covered box seating, will be built on the first turn of the Churchill Downs Racetrack, according to a release from Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) Wednesday afternoon. To be built between the First Turn Club and the Skye Terrace, it will replace approximately 6,400 uncovered, ground-level box seats and dining areas with a new space for approximately 7,800 guests. CDI anticipates the project will cost between $280 million and $300 million. "We are excited...

The new official logo of Belmont Park, which will open in September 2026 following a multi-year redevelopment project designed to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island, was unveiled Wednesday by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). Inspired by one of the defining features of the property, the iconic Japanese White Pine, the new logo represents the evolution of Belmont Park while honoring the rich history of thoroughbred racing in New York. Centered around an updated version of the white pine, the Belmont Park logo incorporates...

Construction on the Great Hall at the Kentucky Derby Museum has begun in preparation for the debut of a remastered version of The Greatest Race, the museum's 360° feature film. The museum's $2.3 million project is being led by the Louisville-based company, Donna Lawrence Productions. Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, crews from Milwaukee-based Clearwing installed advanced lighting technology in the oval theater, working from designs created by Donna Lawrence Productions in collaboration with Boston-based firm Available Light. Additionally, Donna Lawrence Productions is actively editing the new version of the film to...

Officials at Keeneland have announced plans for major capital investments at the historic Lexington oval, including the constuction of a permanent Paddock Building and a reimagined saddling experience. The project, which is expected to cost $93 million, is the largest undertaking of its variety since Keeneland opened 90 years ago and marks the first major construction at the track since the construction of the Keeneland Library in 2002. Construction is scheduled to begin following the 2024 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale and is expected to be completed by...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The next two runnings of the GI Belmont S. could be held at Saratoga Race Course, New York Racing Association President and CEO David O'Rourke said Sunday. NYRA would make the temporary switch of the oldest race in the Triple Crown series to America's oldest track during a massive re-construction undertaking at Belmont Park. In mid-June, Patrick McKenna, NYRA's vice-president for communications, said that the 2025 Belmont S. might be held at Saratoga Race Course. While noting that a final decision has not been finalized, O'Rourke...

We Are NY Horse Racing, a coalition of small businesses, labor unions, non-profits, and trade associations, released a public opinion poll that found 68% of voters statewide and 75% of voters on Long Island support using state bonding authority to construct new horse racing facilities at Belmont Park. In addition, New Yorkers view horse racing favorably by a 3-to-1 margin. In 2022, legislation was introduced for the first time that would allow the New York Racing Association to finance the modernization of Belmont Park through state-backed bonds. "Constructing a new...

The traditional fall meet at Belmont will instead be held at Aqueduct and kick off Sept. 15, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday. It is anticipated that racing will return to Belmont for the 2023 spring meet. The switch to Aqueduct will allow NYRA to undertake the first phases of what could be a major renovation of Belmont Park. Tunnels have been constructed at Belmont that will give construction vehicles access to the infield. The tunnels will also pave the way for pedestrians to have access to the infield....

Louisville's Kentucky Derby Museum is under construction, with demolition beginning on the first floor for an expanded Black Heritage in Racing exhibit. Due to open at the end of March, the exhibit, which has had a permanent display inside the museum since 1993, is moving to a larger and more prominent location. More artifacts and artwork will also be added to the exhibit, which documents the stories and contributions of Black horsemen in racing. The new exhibit space, just shy of 930 square feet, will lead visitors through the history...