The New York Racing Association, Inc. has announced race dates for the 27-day Belmont fall meet, including 38 stakes worth $5.58 million in purse money, that will kick off Friday, Sept. 18 and run through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Following opening weekend at Belmont, live racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday with the exception of Columbus Day weekend, when live racing will be offered Monday, Oct. 12 and return Friday, Oct. 16.
The Belmont Park fall meet has traditionally opened on the Friday following Labor Day. Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYRA adjusted the fall schedule by adding a one-week break following the conclusion of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.
“This new fall schedule is the result of a collaborative effort between NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders to modify our racing calendar in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the industry,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “I’d like to thank the horsemen and breeders for their common-sense approach to solving the challenges brought about by this unprecedented public health crisis.”
The fall meet at Belmont Park will be highlighted by 22 graded stakes, featuring seven Grade I events and seven Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifiers to the two-day Breeders’ Cup 2020 World Championships to be held Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course.
The first of the meet’s Grade I events begins with the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, the second leg of the Turf Triple series for 3-year-old fillies Saturday, Sept. 19.
Five graded races will highlight the Saturday, Oct. 3 card, led by the GI Belmont Derby Invitational, second leg of the Turf Triple series for males, which offers a berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Columbus Day Weekend beginning Saturday, Oct. 10 and ending Monday, Oct. 12, will feature nine graded events worth $1.65 million, including four Grade I Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” challenge races on Saturday led by the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, a “Win and You’re In” for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The Saturday, Oct. 10, card is bolstered by the GI Champagne, which provides a spot in the starting gate for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
The card also includes the GI Flower Bowl with a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on the line; the GI Frizette offering a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19. NYRA will issue updated guidance regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys, trainers and owners in the near future.
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