The 2024 Belmont Stakes will be the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 8, 2024. This will be the first time the event will take place at Saratoga Race Course, due to renovations planned for Belmont Park.
156th Belmont Stakes Grade I stakes race Location: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States Date: June 8, 2024 Distance: 1+1⁄4 mi (10 furlongs; 2,012 m)
The 2024 Belmont Stakes will be the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 8, 2024. This will be the first time the event will take place at Saratoga Race Course, due to renovations planned for Belmont Park.[1] Due to the smaller size of Saratoga's main track, the race is scheduled to be run at 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 metres), shorter than the usual distance of 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs; 2,414 metres).
On December 8, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a US$ 455 million renovation plan for Belmont Park in Elmont, New York which would move the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York for the interim, with construction expected to last into 2025. The prize purse has been increased from $1.5 million to $2 million.
The most recent time a Belmont Stakes was not held at Belmont Park was when it was held at Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park, Queens from 1963 to 1967, the last time Belmont Park was under construction.
The procession that entered the 42nd annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon at the Conservatory Garden — or the hat luncheon, as it is colloquially known — donned frocks in shades of pink, orange, lavender, ice blue and Kelly green — enough colors to rival the eggs in an Easter basket.
"The luncheon is an annual occasion that serves as a trumpet song of spring in the city and a fund-raiser for the Central Park Conservancy. This year, over 1,000 guests, including philanthropists, designers, members of the Central Park Conservancy and overall lovers of Central Park, raised over $4.6 million for the preservation and upkeep of Manhattan’s green jewel.
“It’s a big celebration for Central Park and the people who really love and care for the park,” said Betsy Smith, the president and chief executive of the Central Park Conservancy.
This year’s event, which honored Diane Schaub, the Central Park Conservancy’s curator of gardens, along with the Conservancy’s garden staff, took nine months to plan, according to Ms. Smith. It is the biggest fund-raiser for the park, and the money raised will go toward operating costs for the park, including landscaping and park maintenance."
This season's races are going to one of the biggest celebrations around.
We're excited to let you look your best (and win a few awards yourself). Each race has a distinct feel and we've captured those with a wide variety of derby hats, fascinators and choice of elegant, fun and even formal pieces.
Arturo had the opportunity to design and fabricate six hats which appeared at the Super Bowl LMVIII Halftime Show featuring Usher. See below!
"I made six blue hats for the performers. The asymmetric disk velvet hats with feather embellishments and crystals were worn by the backup performers. I also made two headpieces for the stilt walkers seen in the background".
In addition, Arturo Rios created a unique, long black goose feather headdress and male top hat with ostrich feathers.
Arturo is celebrating a fantastic season with his couture millinery being featured in performance by Lady Gaga, fashion shoots in the world's preeminent fashion magazines and catwalks around the globe.
