- 158th running of Belmont Stakes to be held at Saratoga race course
- Saratoga to host Belmont Stakes for a third year
- Belmont Stakes to return to Belmont Park in 2027
The 158th running of the Belmont Stakes will once again be staged at Saratoga Race Course instead of its traditional home at Belmont Park due to the massive redevelopment project currently taking place at Belmont Park.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and New York State officials confirmed that the famous Triple Crown race would remain at Saratoga for a third straight year while construction work continues on the new-look Belmont Park facility.
The rebuilding project is valued at more than $400 million and includes a complete modernization of the grandstand, fan areas, hospitality spaces and racing infrastructure.
The redevelopment is one of the biggest renovations in Belmont Park’s history.
Officials decided that attempting to stage the Belmont Stakes while construction was ongoing would create logistical and safety challenges for fans, horsemen and staff.
As a result, Saratoga has temporarily become the home of the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Another key factor is Saratoga’s reputation as one of America’s most historic and popular racing venues.
Often referred to as “The Spa,” Saratoga has successfully hosted the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival during the temporary relocation period, drawing huge crowds and strong wagering numbers.
How Long Has the Belmont Stakes Been Held at Saratoga?
The Belmont Stakes was first moved to Saratoga in 2024, making the 2026 edition the third consecutive year the race has been held there.
Historically, the Belmont Stakes had never previously been run outside the New York City metropolitan area before the move to Saratoga.
While the race was temporarily staged at Aqueduct Racetrack between 1963 and 1967 during an earlier rebuilding phase at Belmont Park, Saratoga marked the first upstate New York venue to host the race.
The move has also altered the character of the race itself. Traditionally known as the “Test of the Champion,” the Belmont Stakes is normally run over 1½ miles at Belmont Park’s sweeping oval.
Belmont Stakes Race Distance Shorter at Saratoga
However, Saratoga’s tighter configuration means the race has been shortened to 1¼ miles during its stay there because running the full mile-and-a-half distance would require an unfair starting position on a turn.
When Will the Belmont Stakes Return to Belmont Park?
Current plans are for the Belmont Stakes to return to Belmont Park in 2027.
Although Belmont Park is expected to reopen in September 2026, construction timelines mean the 2026 Belmont Stakes could not realistically be accommodated there in June.
Officials therefore decided to keep the race at Saratoga for one final year before bringing it back downstate in 2027.
NYRA president David O’Rourke stressed that Belmont Park “will always be the home of the Belmont Stakes” and said the organization is looking forward to returning the Triple Crown race to the newly redeveloped venue.
The revamped Belmont Park is also scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup in 2027, highlighting the scale and importance of the redevelopment project.
How Far Is Saratoga Race Course From Belmont Park?
Saratoga Race Course is located approximately 180 miles north of Belmont Park.
The drive between the two racetracks typically takes around three-and-a-half to four hours depending on traffic conditions, particularly when travelling through the New York metropolitan area.
Saratoga sits near the state capital of Albany in upstate New York, while Belmont Park is located on Long Island just outside New York City.
The geographical difference gives the Belmont Stakes a completely different atmosphere during its temporary stay at Saratoga, with the smaller and more intimate venue contrasting sharply with Belmont Park’s huge grandstand and expansive racing surface.
Who Won the 2025 Belmont Stakes?
The 2025 Belmont Stakes was won by Sovereignty, who captured the 157th running of the race at Saratoga Race Course on June 7, 2025.
Trained by William I. Mott and ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty completed the 1¼-mile contest in 2:00.69.
The colt had already won the 2025 Kentucky Derby and became the first horse since Justify to win at least two legs of the Triple Crown series.
Journalism finished second, with Baeza taking third place in the eight-horse field.
WATCH: Sovereignty Winning The 2025 Belmont Stakes
