The inaugural Belmont at Saratoga broke records, drawing an astounding all-sources handle of $125,748,941 on Saturday's thrilling Belmont Stakes Day card. This marked a historic high for the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in a non-Triple Crown year, representing a notable 6.3% increase over the previous record set in 2023.
The electrifying card, featuring Dornoch's triumph in the 156th running of the prestigious $2-million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, captivated racing enthusiasts. Amongst the 14 races on Belmont Stakes Day, which boasted six Grade 1 events out of nine stakes races, the on-track handle reached an impressive $14,854,311.
The pinnacle of the day, the Belmont Stakes itself, recorded a staggering all-sources handle of $60,904,557. This historic occasion unfolded before a sold-out crowd of 50,000 spectators, witnessing the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival hosted at Saratoga Race Course for the first time. This relocation facilitated the seamless construction of a new Belmont Park, the esteemed venue nestled on Long Island and home to the iconic Belmont Stakes.