The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has expanded its overall investment in the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet and the July 4th Racing Festival from 56 stakes worth $16.85 million in 2024 to 55 stakes totaling $17,250,000 this year, according to press releases from the racing entity on Friday.
Highlighted by the 157th edition of the Grade I, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7 at Saratoga, the five-day 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014.
The third leg of the Triple Crown will once again be contested at 1 1/4 miles in 2025 rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles due to the configuration of the Spa's main track.
For the third consecutive year as the television home of the festival, FOX will present live broadcast coverage during the week.
The stakes schedule for the 2025 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet is also set and will begin on Thursday, May 1 and continue through Sunday, July 6. The ongoing construction of the new Belmont Park will again require adjustments to the customary NYRA schedule. The meet–which includes the July 4th Racing Festival at the Spa–features 28 stakes worth $5,975,000, which is a change from 32 stakes at $6.6 million last year.
Typically held at Belmont Park, the July 4th Racing Festival will serve as a prelude to the traditional summer meet at Saratoga and conclude the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer slate.
Following the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 4-8, live racing on the NYRA circuit will return to Aqueduct from June 12 to June 29 prior to the July 4th Racing Festival.
With the addition of the Belmont Stakes and July 4th Racing Festivals, Saratoga will host nine live race days in 2025 outside of the traditional 40-day summer meet.
Click here to access a list to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes rundown, and here for the July 4th schedule.
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