Tickets to the 2014 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), which this year will feature a 13-race card offering $8 million in purses, will be available for purchase beginning March 31, The New York Racing Association announced March 17.
This year's Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 7, at Belmont Park will be the second-richest day of racing on the North American racing calendar and will include 10 stakes races. (In 2013, Belmont Stakes Day included six stakes worth $2.95 million.) In addition to the 1 1/2-mile, $1.5 million Belmont, the day will include the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), annually considered one of the most prestigious races run in North America, along with seven other graded stakes events.
While the day features more top stakes, many ticket prices remain at 2013 levels, including grandstand admission, which will again be $10; and a large selection of third-floor upper-tier reserved seats where prices will again range from $20 to $65, including admission. In all, nearly 30% of reserved seats on Belmont Stakes Day will be equal to or lower than last year's prices.
New for 2014 is the reduction in price of hundreds of second-floor grandstand seats, from $120 to $95.
The remaining third floor seats in the clubhouse and grandstand will have modest increases of $10-$20 each. Clubhouse admission for June 7 will rise from $20 to $30, the first increase in admission prices for the "Test of the Champion" since 2005.
"Keeping our grandstand admission price at $10 gives our guests the continued opportunity to experience all the excitement of New York's championship day of racing at a very affordable cost," said David O'Rourke, NYRA's vice president of corporate development. "With seats priced from $20-$300, guests can choose from a wide array of experiences and amenity levels as they make plans to be a part of what will be a very special day."
Enhanced hospitality will be provided for all second-floor clubhouse reserved seat and box seat ticket holders in the new second-floor Trophy Room, with private lounge areas, betting windows, and gourmet food selections available for purchase.
One brand-new dining option awaiting guests is the Champagne Room, which will be located on the first floor of the clubhouse. With a private patio viewing area that extends to the rail, the Champagne Room also features private betting windows, a day-long gourmet buffet, and a premium open bar.
Among the improvements guests will find at Belmont Park this year are 131 new high-definition televisions throughout all four levels of the facility; new HD screens (or self-service wagering terminals) in second-floor box seats for improved viewing of live and simulcast racing; and a new eight-foot by 15-foot video display wall by the paddock walking ring offering guests throughout the paddock area enhanced, HD picture quality.
Guests can purchase grandstand or clubhouse admission tickets (which do not include a reserved seat) at any time from March 31 up to and including Belmont Stakes Day itself. Tickets and seats will also be available, starting March 31, through Ticketmaster. A map of Belmont Stakes Day reserved seats and their prices is available.
NYRA also announced March 17 that applications are being accepted for the reserved seat lottery for the 2014 Saratoga Race Course meet, where grandstand and clubhouse admission will be $5 and $8, respectively. Those who have customarily received ticket applications in the mail will again. However, applications are also available. Applications must be returned to the NYRA Box Office by April 15.