Belmont kicks off spring meet

The tradition-rich Belmont Park spring/summer meet begins its 59-day run on

Wednesday with the $100,000 Westchester H. (G3) for older horses at one mile highlighting

the nine-race card.

In addition to enjoying free parking and admission on opening day, fans will

notice $1 million in improvements to various parts of the plant, including a new

welcome center in the clubhouse entrance and expanded picnic amenities in the

backyard.

Ultimately, it's all about the racing at Belmont Park, and the customary

highlight of the spring meet is the $1 million Belmont S. (G1), the third leg in

of the Triple Crown. The Belmont will climax a blockbuster program on June 7, which also includes the $400,000 Manhattan H. (G1), $250,000 Acorn S.

(G1), $400,000 Just a Game H. (G1), $250,000 True North H. (G2), and the

$250,000 Woody Stephens S. (G2).

There are 38 stakes races altogether worth more than $8.5 million during the meet,

29 of which are graded. Seven are restricted to New York-bred or -sired runners.

The first Grade 1 race of the spring stand, the $600,000 Metropolitan H. at one mile,

will be held on Memorial Day, May 26. Other highlights include the June

28 card which features the $400,000 Suburban H. (G1) and $250,000 Mother Goose S. (G1), and the

$300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 19.

A new edition to the spring meet is the $500,000 Man o' War S. (G1) on July

12, which replaces the now-defunct Bowling Green H. (G2). Since its inception in

1959, the Man o' War had been run during the fall at either Belmont Park or

Aqueduct. The $200,000 Brooklyn H. (G2), inaugurated in 1887, returns to the spring meet

after being run the last two years during the fall meet. The Brooklyn shares the

June 6 Belmont Stakes Eve program with the $100,000 Hill Prince S. (G3).

The Belmont meet runs through July 20, with a daily post time of 1

p.m. (EDT). Exceptions to this will be on Belmont Stakes Day when post time will

be noon, and every Friday from June 13 through July 18 when first post will

be 3 p.m.

Belmont will be dark Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of Memorial Day.

There will be no racing on the Wednesday following Memorial Day (May 28), nor,

in a change from past years, on the day after the Belmont (June 8).