Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to expand in Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival has expanded an extra day this summer for its second and final year in Saratoga. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is also adding a new race to expand the season even more and some local businesses are already getting ready.

“The racing is the ice cream for us, I mean the summer is our Christmas," said Marianne Barker, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga.

NYRA announced the 2025 racing schedule on Tuesday and with that came some updates for the new season.

“A few changes most notably we’ve expanded the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2025 to five days, Wednesday through Sunday," said Pat McKenna, vice president of communications.

This year, the Saratoga race track will host the July 4th Racing Festival that was traditionally held at Belmont Park. This four-day festival will happen right before the summer meet begins, from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6.

"Horse racing in New York has never been stronger," said McKenna.

It's not just an exciting time for fans, but also local businesses in the area. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce believes the economic impact of holding the Belmont Stakes was over $50 million.

“For us its like hosting the super bowl that's what it really is, you’re talking about the oldest sporting venue in the country, you’re talking about a historic race that’ll only be run here for two years," said Todd Shimkus, president and CEO of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Both Impressions of Saratoga and the Country Corner Cafe said they saw huge success during Belmont Stakes last year.

“It was a great weekend, one of our busiest weekends in history," said Maddy, co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga.

“We saw a lot of repeat business after that from Long Islanders coming up, not just from Belmont, but over the course of the summer,” said Julee O'Callaghan, owner of Country Corner Cafe.

However, this wasn't the case for all downtown businesses.

“Others didn’t do as well. So what we’re hoping to do for 2025 is figure out how to help all of our businesses," said Shimkus.

For O'Callaghan, that help includes clearer parking regulations and a stronger outside presence.

“We really like to set up outside and have a sidewalk presence. Last year we did not do it so I definitely want to be outside because its all about the hype when it comes to Belmont," said O'Callaghan.

McKenna said the parking will be the same as it was in 2024 and the $455 million renovation project for Belmont Stakes is still on schedule to open in 2026. Tickets for the 2025 season will be available in January.