So, if you’ve been looking for recent results from Belmont race track, you’ve probably noticed something kind of weird. The track is basically a giant construction site right now. It’s a mess of steel and cranes. Honestly, it’s a bit jarring to see the "Big Sandy" looking like a high-end condo development project rather than a place for horses. Because of this massive $455 million renovation, the actual racing hasn't been happening on that specific dirt in Elmont lately.
Instead, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has been shipping the show up to Saratoga or over to Aqueduct. But even with the dirt flying at the construction site, the history and the recent "at Belmont" results (even when they're held elsewhere) tell a wild story about where the sport is heading in 2026.
The Most Recent "Belmont" Results You Actually Care About
The big one. The "Test of the Champion." Even though the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes in 2025 took place at Saratoga Race Course to accommodate the builders, it’s still the definitive chapter in the recent results from Belmont race track lineage.
Sovereignty won. That’s the short version.
But the long version is better. Sovereignty, a Godolphin homebred trained by the legendary William Mott, absolutely dominated. He didn't just win; he reprised his Kentucky Derby victory with a cold, calculated efficiency that silenced the "fluke" talk. Ridden by Junior Alvarado, the colt covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.69.
Check out how the money shook out for those who had a ticket:
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Sovereignty (No. 2) paid out $7.00 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.30 to show.
Journalism (No. 7), who was actually the slight favorite at 2-1, ended up in second, paying $3.20 and $2.30.
Baeza (No. 6) grabbed the third spot, paying $2.60 to show.
The crazy thing about these results? It was an exact replica of the Kentucky Derby top three. Same horses, same order. If you bet the $1.00 Exacta (2-7), you walked away with $6.60. Not a life-changing score, but a win is a win. The $0.10 Superfecta (2-7-6-3) paid $40.50, thanks to Rodriguez hanging on for fourth at long odds.
Why the Track Looks Like a Transformer Right Now
Basically, the old Belmont grandstand was a relic. It was huge—1.25 million square feet—and mostly empty on non-Stakes days. NYRA decided to tear the whole thing down.
The new building is going to be way smaller, around 275,000 square feet, but much "smarter." We’re talking about a five-story grandstand designed by Populous, the same folks who did the new Yankee Stadium.
One of the coolest things coming in the 2026 results from Belmont race track will be the addition of a one-mile Tapeta track. That’s a synthetic surface. It means Belmont can finally host racing year-round, even when New York winters get nasty. They’re also tunneling into the infield so fans can actually use that green space, which has been a literal island of wasted grass for decades.
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When does the actual racing come back?
Mark your calendars for September 18, 2026.
That is the official "return to Elmont" date. Until then, when you see results labeled "Belmont at the Big A," just know they’re running at Aqueduct. It’s the same New York vibe, just a different zip code.
The 2025 Leaderboard: Who’s Winning the Circuit?
Even without the main house open, the "Belmont" community of trainers and jockeys is still grinding. Looking at the stats for the New York circuit leading into early 2026, a few names keep popping up.
Linda Rice has been on a tear. Honestly, she’s basically a win machine at the "Big A" (Aqueduct) lately. In mid-January 2026, she was leading trainers with earnings over $112,000 in a single day, boasting a 50% win rate.
On the horse side, keep an eye on Strategic Risk and So Happy. They’ve been topping the leaderboard in earnings. It's not just about the Triple Crown; these are the blue-collar horses keeping the New York racing scene alive while the new Belmont Park finds its feet.
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Looking Back to Move Forward
People often forget how tough this track is. Even when the distance was shortened to 1 1/4 miles recently for the Saratoga-based runs, the "Belmont" title carries weight.
Remember 2023? Arcangelo made history. Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race. That was a "real" Belmont result—1 1/2 miles of pure endurance. Arcangelo clocked in at 2:29.23.
Then you had Dornoch in 2024, winning at 17-1 odds. That’s the kind of result that makes horse racing both beautiful and infuriating. You can study the forms for hours, and then a longshot like Dornoch just decides today is his day.
What’s Next for You?
If you’re trying to stay on top of results from Belmont race track for betting or just for the love of the sport, don't just look at the wins. Look at the "E Speed Figures." For example, a horse named Book Smart recently posted a 115 E Speed Figure at Santa Anita, and these are the types of cross-country stats you need to watch as these horses prepare for the New York spring season.
Your Action Plan:
- Track the Tapeta: When Belmont reopens in late 2026, the new synthetic track will change everything. Look for horses that have historically performed well at Gulfstream or Turfway on "all-weather" surfaces.
- Follow the Jockeys: Gabriel Saez and Irad Ortiz Jr. are currently dominating the win percentages. If they're on a horse at a NYRA track, the odds will be short, but the results are consistent.
- Wait for September: The real results from Belmont race track—on the actual new dirt—won't start until the Fall Meet of 2026. Use this "interim" period to watch the three-year-olds currently running in maiden specials at Aqueduct. They are the ones who will be headlining the grand reopening.
The "New Belmont" isn't just a renovation; it's a total reboot of New York racing. The statistics might look a little scattered right now because of the venue changes, but the money and the talent are still very much in the Empire State.