If you build it, the Breeders’ Cup will come.
As Belmont Park undergoes a $455 million rebuild, it was announced Wednesday that the Breeders’ Cup will return to the New York racetrack in 2027 for the first time in more than two decades.
In addition, the Breeders’ Cup said the 2026 edition will return to Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, a track undergoing a $100 million reconstruction.
“If you build it, we will come,” Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Drew Fleming said at a news conference in New York City.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup was previously awarded to Del Mar, California, on Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
The 2027 Breeders’ Cup will mark the fifth time Belmont Park has hosted the event since it began in 1984. The track is scheduled to re-open in the fall of 2026. The last time the Breeders’ Cup was at Belmont Park was 2005, when it was a one-day event with eight races.
In 2023, after New York state said it would loan the New York Racing Association (NYRA) $455 million for reconstruction, Fleming pledged to return the now two-day event with 14 races and $34 million in purses to the track in Elmont, N.Y.
“We’re excited to honor that promise and put on an exceptional Breeders’ Cup for New York,’’ Fleming said. “Our fans have been wanting this for a long time. We couldn’t be prouder to be back up here.”
As for the return to Keeneland in 2026, it will be the fourth time the event has been held, all since 2015. Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said the $100 million paddock renovation will be completed in time for the fall meet in October.
“Keeneland is our Augusta National,” Fleming said. “Anytime you take someone to Keeneland, they instantly become a racing fan. We have a great, long-storied partnership and friendship with Keeneland.”
The new Belmont Park will look completely different than the old one. It will be much smaller – the grandstand that previously was 1.25 million square feet will be approximately 275,000 square feet. In addition, the new Belmont will unlock the huge infield to provide fans with more green space. Also, the main dirt track and two turf courses will be completely renovated and new all-weather synthetic surface installed.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
