Tapeta track opens for training at Belmont Park

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) unveiled the new Tapeta inner track at Belmont Park, which opened to horses on Monday (June 29) to help usher in a new era for racing and training in the Empire State.

Following a three-year project to transform Belmont Park into a world-class sports and entertainment destination, a new and re-imagined Belmont Park will open for live racing on September 18.

The Mark Hennig-trained pair of Private Flight, under exercise rider Ricardo Fragoso, and Mo Kreesa, with Cirilo Paredes up, were the first two horses to step on the Tapeta at 5:35 a.m. Eastern.

“The riders seem pleased with the way they galloped and said it was like they were on a very soft cloud – it was like galloping on air,” Hennig said. “The Tapeta track offers horses a change of pace. It’s good when we can change things up mentally for them – one day on Tapeta, one day to the main track, one day to the training track and one day turned out in the round pen – it’s a great experience for the horses.

“If we can throw new days and new experiences for them, I think it keeps them brighter and happier in the long run.”

Live racing begins at the new Belmont Park on September 18 with an Opening Day program anchored by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, which provides a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in October at Keeneland.

The Belmont Park fall meet, which will run Friday, September 18 through Sunday, November 29, will offer record purse levels across all overnight categories.