Belmont Stakes to Saratoga the next 2 years

[Glenn's take]

It's either 24/25 or 25/26. Belmont Park is going to have a huge renovation. The guy on FOX just said it can't be run at 1 1/2 at Saratoga because they would be starting on the far turn. He said probably 1 1/4. I'm wondering if the Belmont will ever be run at 1 1/2 again unless they are going to configure the new Belmont specifically to accommodate it. I know it's not going to be a mile and half track again. The real estate is too expensive to keep that.

Report: O'Rourke says Saratoga could host Belmont Stakes twice

Saratoga could host the Belmont Stakes in 2024 and 2025, NYRA president O'Rourke says.

www.horseracingnation.com

 

[Tskware]

WTF?? How is it the Triple Crown wo a 1.5 mile Belmont?

 

[Wesley91581]

They’re just destroying tradition now - isn’t there a rumor they want to have 3 weeks between the derby and Preakness?

 

[Glenn's take]

I'm not as married to those traditions as you to. The mile and a half is dumb. Go find me another mile and a half dirt race carded. They don't exist. They had it in the Breeders Cup and everyone hated it because it was a race for trainers that had no idea what to do with there horse competing in a division that didn't exist. I would do this.
Run the Derby where and when it is.
Run the Preakness Memorial Day weekend at Laurel Park instead of Pimlico.
Run the Belmont 4th of July weekend.
Horses don't run every 2 or 3 weeks anymore.

 

[Wesley91581]

I'm not as married to those traditions as you to. The mile and a half is dumb. Go find me another mile and a half dirt race carded. They don't exist. They had it in the Breeders Cup and everyone hated it because it was a race for trainers that had no idea what to do with there horse competing in a division that didn't exist. I would do this.
Run the Derby where and when it is.
Run the Preakness Memorial Day weekend at Laurel Park instead of Pimlico.
Run the Belmont 4th of July weekend.
Horses don't run every 2 or 3 weeks anymore.

Why is the mile and a half dumb? The Belmont winner just won the travelers stakes.

It’s the ultimate endurance test.

Can’t help some owners/trainers are cherry picking racing spots and breeding for speed.

 

[TexasTimCat]

I was not in favor of any changes to the triple crown when we had a 37 year drought, sure as hell not in favor now!

 

[Glenn's take]

Why is the mile and a half dumb? The Belmont winner just won the travelers stakes.

It’s the ultimate endurance test.

Can’t help some owners/trainers are cherry picking racing spots and breeding for speed.

It can stay that distance and I won't care but like I said. Find another race carded on the dirt for a mile and a half. There isn't one.

 

[Strokin_Bandit]

Horse racing is about done imo. Who cares what they do with tradition at this point when humans have pretty much corrupted it from top to bottom.

The thoroughbred is becoming more and more fragile through breeding. The horses are doped up to the point they can’t tell they’re lame. Breakdowns of good horses right in the middle of a race. Jockeys riding recklessly. Odds mysteriously changing mid-race.

I’ve never been this cynical about a sport I loved. Done with it now.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Good for us. Saratoga is going to be absolutely bonkers for these weekends. It's a mad house for Travers weekend, can't imagine what this will be like.

If you've never been to Toga, this would be a good time to make the trip. It's certainly nicer than Baltimore and freaking Hempstead LI.

 

[vhcat70]

Instead of shortening it, lengthen it to 1-5/8, 1-3/4. Or build a temporary straight shoot off the tun just for these two races.

 

[Shadow1671]

I guess my question would be, why can't they start at the far turn? Don't get me wrong, I am not one that holds on to traditions as much as many people do, but to say you can't do something and then say why you can't do something because it would be weird or inconvenient just seems silly to me. Start it at the far turn. The Belmont has been a mile and a half race basically forever. Move the finish line to the entrance of turn one. (Sorry, I'm an auto racing guy so that's how I talk). I know there are sensors and cameras and stuff like that, but this is the triple crown we're talking about. This tradition SHOULD be upheld. Figure it out.

 

[catfanbrad]

Good for us. Saratoga is going to be absolutely bonkers for these weekends. It's a mad house for Travers weekend, can't imagine what this will be like.

If you've never been to Toga, this would be a good time to make the trip. It's certainly nicer than Baltimore and freaking Hempstead LI.

I went to Saratoga for the first time this year, and it was Travers weekend, had an absolute blast. Might make it an annual trip, Saratoga far exceeded my expectations.

 

[College#19]

Terrible decision. Saratoga has really tight turns and we all know it is where champions go to lose. Not a fan of the racing at Saratoga because it is tough on the bigger horses.

 

[Shadow1671]

Terrible decision. Saratoga has really tight turns and we all know it is where champions go to lose. Not a fan of the racing at Saratoga because it is tough on the bigger horses.

I don't know horse racing that well. Love going to Keeneland and have been to Churchill a few times. Is there a significant difference in turns for horse racing? How much tighter are the turns? I know a lot of forms of racing but they are usually at high speeds. If the turns are tighter for horses and jockeys, how does that affect the race strategy? I'm asking honestly.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I went to Saratoga for the first time this year, and it was Travers weekend, had an absolute blast. Might make it an annual trip, Saratoga far exceeded my expectations.

Yep, it's a fantastic town. You will often hear Saratoga mentioned with the likes of Vegas and Nashville for bachelor parties.. that's the kind of town it is in the summer.

Travers is almost TOO packed for my liking. I'd recommend going any other weekend. It will still have plenty of action going on, but you can actually navigate the downtown and get in places. Even then you need restaurant reservations days/weeks in advanced and Caroline st is just a giant college party.

 

[Lamar Card]

At one time the last race of the day at Churchill on Saturdays was an endurance competition. As I recall it started at one mile and increased a 1/2 mile each week and the final race was 3 miles. It was named after a horse, I believe it was called the Ten Broeck.