The Go For Wand Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race established in 1954 for fillies and mares age three and up. Raced in the fall, it is a Grade III race (Grade I before 2010) on dirt at a distance of one mile.
89-699: Inaugurated in 1954 at Belmont Park as the Maskette Stakes in honor of the Hall of Fame filly, Maskette , it was renamed in 1992 for its ill-fated 1990 winner and Hall of Fame inductee, Go For Wand who is buried in the infield at Saratoga Race Course . The Maskette took place at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1959, 1960, and from 1962 to 1968. From 1994–2009, the Go For Wand was hosted at the Saratoga Race Course. After not being raced in 2010,
178-614: A contactless fare payment system. Fare payment would be made using Apple Pay , Google Pay , debit/credit cards with near-field communication enabled, or radio-frequency identification cards. As part of the implementation of OMNY, the MTA also plans to use the system in the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. In December 2022, the MTA announced the launch of an additional fare for use on journeys that utilize both of its railroad systems via Grand Central. The fare
267-592: A jockey : Most wins by a trainer : Most wins by an owner: † In 1974, Desert Vixen finished first, but was later disqualified. Belmont Park Belmont Park is a thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York , just east of New York City limits best known for hosting the Belmont Stakes , the final leg of the American Triple Crown . It was opened on May 4, 1905, and
356-437: A proof of concept report in 2015. At the time of the report, express bus riders from Southeast Queens had some of the longest commutes in the city, with their commutes being 96 minutes long, yet they paid a premium fare of $ 6.50. Riders who take the dollar van to the subway paid $ 4.75 to get to Manhattan in 65 minutes; riders who only took the bus and subway paid $ 2.75 to get to Manhattan in 86 minutes; and riders who took
445-412: A 1975 match race. Ruffian broke down during the race and had to be euthanized. She was buried near the finish line in the infield at Belmont Park, her nose pointed towards the finish pole, from 1975 until 2023. The following Graded events were held at Belmont Park in 2022. Grade I Long Island Rail Road [REDACTED] Gray lines represent freight-only branches, and other colors represent
534-448: A 225-room hotel, and a 10,000 sq ft (930 m ) community center, while NYCFC's pledge included a 26,000 seat soccer ground, 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m ) for retail, a 5.2-acre (2.1 ha) community park, and 2-acre (0.81 ha) soccer complex: both proposals were fully privately funded and included improved parking and LIRR facilities as well. On December 20, 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that
623-425: A LIRR spur to Grand Central Terminal that will run in part via the lower level of the existing 63rd Street Tunnel . The East Side Access project added a new eight-track terminal called Grand Central Madison underneath the existing Grand Central Terminal. The project was first proposed in the 1968 Program for Action , but due to various funding shortfalls, construction did not start until 2007. As of April 2018 ,
712-473: A circumference of 1 + 3 ⁄ 16 miles (1.9 km) plus 103 feet (31 m). On the Main Track, it is 1,097 feet (334 m) from the top of the stretch to the finish line, and the segment between the wire and the start of the first (clubhouse) turn covers 843 feet (257 m); this latter segment is shorter by approximately 165 feet (50 m) on both of the turf courses, in order to accommodate
801-530: A family ticket for children who are accompanied by an 18-year-old for $ 0.75 if bought from the station agent or TVM, $ 1.00 on the train. Senior citizen/disabled passengers traveling during the morning peak hours are required to pay the AM peak senior citizen/disabled rate. This rate is not charged during PM peak hours. Commuters can also buy a peak or off-peak ten trip ride, a weekly unlimited or an unlimited monthly pass. Monthly passes are good on any train regardless of
890-499: A nearly year-round race track when the New York Racing Association lease for all three of New York State's tracks expired at the end of 2007. Belmont's stands would have been heated, additional barns built for Aqueduct's 400 horses, and the track modified to accommodate winter racing. In addition, video lottery machines would have been introduced. A new entity would have operated Belmont from fall to spring while
979-645: A period from 1910 to 1912 in which racing was outlawed in New York State. Eight years later, Belmont and aviation were reunited when the racetrack served as the northern point of the first U.S. air mail route, between the New York area and Washington, D.C. The following spring, NYRA Chairman James Cox Brady announced that two separate engineering surveys found the grandstand/clubhouse was unsafe due to age-induced structural defects and needed to be rebuilt. The book Belmont Park: A Century of Champions noted
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#17328014089461068-443: A record attendance of 120,139 was on hand to see if Smarty Jones would be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. American Pharoah won the 2015 Belmont Stakes on June 6, and became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. It was announced before the race that attendance would be capped at 90,000. That year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness both set attendance records, over 170,000 and 130,000 respectively. In addition to
1157-479: A world record for 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (2.4 km) on dirt, a world record which still stands. The 31-length victory clinched the first Triple Crown in 25 years, dating back to Citation in 1948 . A statue of Secretariat is in the center of the Belmont paddock. Another Belmont Stakes achievement is recognized by the "Woody's Corner" display that was located in the first-floor clubhouse lobby, commemorating
1246-524: Is 1 mile (1.6 km) in circumference and abuts the east end of the main track. In March 2009, lights were added to the training track as a safety measure to prevent early morning workouts from occurring in the dark. The racetrack, grandstand, training, and barn facilities are located entirely in the community of Elmont in Nassau County, New York . According to the City of New York's own map portal,
1335-674: Is also not valid for travel to the Elmont station or the special event only Belmont Park station, which are just barely east of the Queens-Nassau border and thus are within Zone 4. In late 2017, the MTA was slated to launch a pilot that will allow LIRR, bus and subway service to use one ticket. The proposal for the ticket, called the "Freedom Ticket," was initially put forth by the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC) in 2007. The NYCTRC wrote
1424-774: Is one of the best well known racetracks in the United States. The original structure was demolished in 1963, and a second facility opened in 1968. The second structure was demolished in 2023, and a third version of Belmont Park is expected to open in 2026. Operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), Belmont Park is typically open for racing from late April through mid-July (known as the Spring meet), and again from mid-September through late October (the Fall meet). The race park's main dirt track has earned
1513-435: Is priced as $ 8 more than an adult off-peak ticket from an origin station on one system to Grand Central. It is valid on both peak and off-peak trains. The LIRR is relatively isolated from the rest of the national rail system despite operating out of Penn Station, the nation's busiest rail terminal. It connects with other railroads in just two locations: All LIRR trains have an engineer (driver in non-US English) who operates
1602-577: Is the busiest commuter railroad in North America. It is also one of the world's few commuter systems that runs 24/7 year-round. It is publicly owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , which refers to it as MTA Long Island Rail Road . In 2023, the system had a ridership of 75,186,900, or about 276,800 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. The LIRR logo combines the circular MTA logo with
1691-735: Is the case with the Montauk Branch, which is known as the Babylon Branch service in the electrified portion of the line between Jamaica and Babylon, while the diesel service beyond Babylon to Montauk is referred to as Montauk Branch service. All branches except the Port Washington Branch pass through Jamaica ; the trackage west of Jamaica (except the Port Washington Branch ) is known as the City Terminal Zone . The City Terminal Zone includes portions of
1780-672: Is valid for travel within zones 1 and 3 on the Long Island Railroad. CityTickets can only be bought before boarding, except at Willets Point where they can be purchased on board, and they must be used on the day of purchase. CityTicket was originally not valid for travel to Far Rockaway because the station is in Zone 4 (despite being within the city limits) and the Far Rockaway Branch passes through Nassau County . In May 2023, MTA officials announced that they would expand CityTicket to Far Rockaway. CityTicket
1869-449: The 2004 Belmont Stakes , when 120,139 spectators saw Smarty Jones upset by Birdstone in his Triple Crown bid. August Belmont Jr. and William Collins Whitney , along with other investors, built the original Belmont race track, which opened on May 4, 1905. Arthur Underhill was hired as Engineer and Landscape Architect to design and oversee construction of the park. In its first 15 or so years, Belmont Park featured racing clockwise, in
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#17328014089461958-698: The Belmont Derby , Belmont Oaks , Manhattan Handicap , Just A Game Handicap , Bowling Green Handicap , Man O' War Stakes , Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational . Belmont's Fall Championship meet includes New York Showcase Day in late October, with seven stakes races for New York-bred horses. The richest race on that program is the $ 250,000 Empire Classic Handicap . Other memorable performances in Belmont Park history include
2047-548: The Jamaica station is a major hub station and transfer point in Jamaica, Queens . It has ten tracks and six platforms, plus yard and bypass tracks. Passengers can transfer between trains on all LIRR lines except the Port Washington Branch . The sixth platform opened in February 2020, and exclusively serves Atlantic Branch shuttle trains to Brooklyn. Transfer is also made to separate facilities for three subway services at
2136-644: The Laurelton , Locust Manor , Rosedale , and St. Albans stations in Queens. Riders, under the pilot, would be able to purchase one-way, weekly, or monthly passes that will be valid on the LIRR, on buses, and the subway. The fare will be higher than the price of a ride on the MetroCard , but it will be lower than the combined price of an LIRR ticket and a MetroCard, and it will allow unlimited free transfers between
2225-704: The Long Island Rail Road station on the property, the ramp between the grandstand and the train station, and some of the adjoining parking fields straddle the Queens County line. Belmont Park has direct on- and off-ramps to the Cross Island Parkway , which runs north–south and is just to the west of the park. Belmont Park's physical address is given as 2150 Hempstead Turnpike ( New York State Route 24 ). The Belmont Park property originally totaled some 650 acres (260 ha). After
2314-711: The Main Track and nicknamed "Big Sandy" by racing followers, has a circumference of 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (2.4 km), the longest dirt thoroughbred racetrack in North America. Immediately inside of this is the Widener Turf Course (named after the Widener family that has a long and prestigious history in American horse racing) spanning 1 + 5 ⁄ 16 miles (2.1 km) plus 27 feet (8.2 m), which in turn encircles an Inner Turf Course with
2403-531: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1968 when it incorporated several other New York City-area transit agencies. With MTA subsidies the LIRR modernized further, continuing to be the busiest commuter railroad in the United States. The LIRR is one of the few railroads that has survived as an intact company from its original charter to the present. The LIRR operates out of four western terminals in New York City. These terminals are: In addition,
2492-525: The New York Islanders , an NHL ice hockey team; and New York City FC , an MLS soccer team. Both teams were unhappy with their current locations (the Islanders at Barclays Center ; New York City FC at Yankee Stadium ) and proposed to redevelop the land into their own stadiums. The Islanders proposed an 18,000 seat sports arena , 435,000 square feet (40,400 m ) for retail development,
2581-537: The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) bought a controlling interest as part of its plan for direct access to Manhattan which began on September 8, 1910. The wealthy PRR subsidized the LIRR during the first half of the new century, allowing expansion and modernization. Electric operation began in 1905. After World War II , the railroad industry's downturn and dwindling profits caused the PRR to stop subsidizing
2670-466: The Queens Village station, running along the property, tunneling under Hempstead Turnpike , then terminating on the south side of the property. The train terminal was moved to its present location north of the turnpike after the 1956 season. Near the railroad terminal was yet another track—Belmont Park Terminal, a steeplechase course operated by United Hunts until 1927. The last race at
2759-639: The Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport station ( E , J , and Z trains), a number of bus routes, and the AirTrain automated people mover to JFK Airport . The railroad's headquarters are next to the station. The Long Island Rail Road system has eleven passenger branches, three of which are main trunk lines: There are eight minor branches. For scheduling and advertising purposes some of these branches are divided into sections; this
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2848-422: The "English fashion"—allowing the upper-class members of the racing association and their guests to have the races finish in front of the clubhouse, just to the west of the grandstand. A "field stand," at what was then the top of the stretch, was located east of the grandstand. The original finish line was located at the top of the present-day homestretch. In his 1925 book, "The Big Town", Ring W. Lardner refers to
2937-427: The 1956 season, the construction of a wider bus road beyond the main course's final turn forced the turn to be shortened. According to the Belmont publication commemorating the track's 1968 reopening, that move cut 96 feet (29 m) off its circumference. The current layout has the entire racing course inside Nassau County. The Belmont Stakes was named after financier and sportsman August Belmont Sr. , who helped fund
3026-399: The 1970s and 1980s, included a dramatic come-from-behind win by Forego in the 1976 installment. Officials of the New York Racing Association made a concerted effort to boost attendance on Belmont Stakes Day after the 1995 installment drew only 37,171. The 2000 and 2001 Belmonts—both run when there was no Triple Crown on the line—drew announced crowds of 67,810 and 73,857. In 2004 ,
3115-465: The 2024 demolition. The Belmont Stakes races have been run at Belmont Park since 1905, with the exceptions of 1911–12, when gambling was banned in New York State; the 1963–67 editions, held at Aqueduct while the grandstands at Belmont Park were reconstructed; and the 2024 edition, which was held at Saratoga Race Course due to the second reconstruction of Belmont Park. Secretariat 's finishing time in his 1973 Belmont victory (2 minutes, 24 seconds) set
3204-406: The 20th century, the LIRR did not begin using signals with color lights on its above ground sections until 2006. Some portions of the railway lack automatic signals and cab signals completely, instead train and track car movements are governed only by timetable and verbal/written train orders , although these areas are gradually receiving modern signals. Many other signals and switching systems on
3293-880: The Belmont Stakes, other major races held at Belmont have included the Jockey Club Gold Cup , the Suburban Handicap and the Memorial Day standby—the Metropolitan Handicap , also known as the "Met Mile." An important race for fillies, the Acorn Stakes , which is the first leg of the US Triple Tiara , is raced at the track year. All of the above races are contested on dirt; notable turf (grass) races include
3382-480: The Go For Wand Handicap returned to Aqueduct on November 25, 2011. The distance reverted to the mile distance the race was contested at prior to its move to Saratoga Race Course. Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances: The race was run in two divisions in 1976. This race was downgraded to a Grade III for its 2014 running. Speed record: Most wins: Most wins by
3471-589: The Hamptons and Montauk on the Cannonball can reserve a seat in the all-reserved Parlor Cars. Prior to November 2021, passengers going to Belmont Park had to buy a special ticket to go from Jamaica to Belmont Park (or vice versa). Weekly and monthly passes were not accepted at Belmont Park. With the opening of Elmont station in November 2021, Belmont Park and Elmont were placed into fare zone 4. In 2003,
3560-639: The Islanders project had won approval to be built. In July 2019, the plan was adopted by the Empire State Development Corporation board, and UBS Arena opened in time for the 2021-22 NHL season . The plan also included a new Elmont station on the LIRR, in addition to the hotel, arena, and retail village. In May 2007, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer considered closing Aqueduct Racetrack located ten miles west of Belmont in Ozone Park, New York , and turning Belmont into
3649-435: The LIRR and Metro-North started a pilot program in which passengers traveling within New York City were allowed to buy one-way tickets for $ 2.50. The special reduced-fare CityTicket, proposed by the New York City Transit Riders Council, was formally introduced in 2004. The discounted fares were initially only available for travel on Saturdays and Sundays. In March 2022, it was expanded to include all off-peak trains throughout
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3738-668: The LIRR are being modernized and upgraded as part of the Main Line's Third Track Project, most notably at Mineola, where the system is being completely redone and modernized. On portions of the railroad equipped with ASC, engineers consult the speed display unit, which is capable of displaying seven speed indications. As a result of a December 1, 2013, train derailment in the Bronx on the Metro-North Railroad, railroads with similar cab signal systems to Metro-North, such as
3827-662: The LIRR are under the control of the Movement Bureau in Jamaica, which gives orders to the towers that control a specific portion of the railroad. Movements in Amtrak territory are controlled by Penn Station Control Center or PSCC, run jointly by the LIRR and Amtrak. The PSCC controls as far east as Harold Interlocking , in Sunnyside, Queens . The PSCC replaced several towers. The Jamaica Control Center, operational since
3916-692: The LIRR paid $ 10 to get to Manhattan in 35 minutes. Unlike the CityTicket, the Freedom Ticket would be valid for off-peak and multidirectional travel; have free transfers to the subway and bus system; and be capped at $ 215 per month. At the time, monthly CityTickets cost $ 330 per month. The Freedom Ticket will initially be available for sale at the Atlantic Terminal , Nostrand Avenue , and East New York stations in Brooklyn and at
4005-620: The LIRR would procure new M9 railcars from Kawasaki . A 2014 MTA forecast indicated that the LIRR would need 416 M9 railcars; 180 to replace the outdated M3 railcars and an additional 236 railcars for the additional passengers expected once the East Side Access project is complete. The first M9s entered revenue service on September 11, 2019. The LIRR also uses 134 C3 bilevel coaches powered by 24 DE30AC diesel-electric locomotives and 20 DM30AC dual-mode locomotives . They are used mostly on non-electrified branches, including
4094-411: The LIRR, and the LIRR went into receivership in 1949. The State of New York , realizing how important the railroad was to Long Island's future, began to subsidize the railroad in the 1950s and 1960s. In June 1965, the state finalized an agreement to buy the LIRR from the PRR for $ 65 million. The LIRR was placed under the control of a new Metropolitan Commuter Transit Authority . The MCTA was rebranded
4183-469: The LIRR, buses, and subway. The former head of the MTA, Thomas Prendergast, announced at the January 2017 board meeting that the plan would be explored in a field study to determine fares and the impact on existing service. The plan is intended to fill approximately 20,000 unused seats of existing trains to Atlantic Terminal and Penn Station (or about 50% to 60% of peak trains in each direction), while at
4272-554: The LIRR, were ordered to modify the systems to enforce certain speed limit changes, which has resulted in lower average speeds and actual speed limits across the LIRR. The LIRR's electrified lines are powered via a third rail at 750 volts DC . The LIRR's electric fleet consists of 836 M7 and 170 M3 electric multiple unit cars in married pairs, meaning each car needs the other one to operate, with each car containing its own engineer's cab. The trainsets typically range from 6 to 12 cars long. In September 2013, MTA announced that
4361-929: The Long Island Rail Road fare system is based on the distance a passenger travels, as opposed to the New York City Subway and the area's bus systems, which charge a flat rate. The railroad is broken up into eight non-consecutively numbered fare zones. Zone 1, the City Terminal Zone , includes Penn Station, Grand Central, all stations in Brooklyn, all stations in Queens west of Jamaica on the Main Line, and Mets–Willets Point. Zone 3 includes Jamaica as well as all other stations in eastern Queens except Far Rockaway. Zones 4 and 7 include all stations in Nassau County, plus Far Rockaway and Belmont Park in Queens. Zones 9, 10, 12 and 14 include all stations in Suffolk County. Each zone contains many stations, and
4450-599: The Long Island Rail Road operated trains over portions of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) elevated and subway lines until 1917. In addition to its daily commuter patronage, the LIRR also offers the following services: Penn Station offers connections with Amtrak intercity trains and NJ Transit commuter trains, as well as the PATH , New York City Subway , and New York City Bus systems. Grand Central offers connections with Metro-North Railroad, as well as
4539-671: The Main Line, Atlantic, and Montauk Branches, as well as the Amtrak -owned East River Tunnels to Penn Station. The railroad has dropped a number of branches due to lack of ridership over the years. Part of the Rockaway Beach Branch became part of the IND Rockaway Line of the New York City Subway , while others were downgraded to freight branches, and the rest abandoned entirely. Additionally,
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#17328014089464628-594: The Main Line. On the western end it provides service on the surviving freight-only tracks of the LIRR: the Bay Ridge and Bushwick branches; the "Lower Montauk" between Jamaica and Long Island City; and to an interchange connection at Fresh Pond Junction in Queens with the CSX , Canadian Pacific , and Providence and Worcester railroads. Some non-electrified lines are used only for freight: The East Side Access project built
4717-519: The New York Racing Association would continue to operate Saratoga Race Course in the summer. Spitzer was forced to resign amid a prostitution scandal in March 2008 and no further plans for Belmont were developed at that time. In December 2022, the New York Racing Association formally announced its intention to upgrade the facilities at Belmont to make it suitable to host year-round thoroughbred racing and training. Unlike Churchill and Pimlico , neither
4806-468: The Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay, Montauk, Central, and Greenport Branches. There are also 23 MP15AC locomotives in use as work trains and yard switchers. For most of its history LIRR has served commuters, but it had many named trains, some with all-first class seating, parlor cars, and full bar service. Few of them lasted past World War II, but some names were revived during the 1950s and 1960s as
4895-439: The United States still operating under its original name and charter. There are 126 stations and more than 700 miles (1,100 km) of track on its two main lines running the full length of the island and eight major branches, with the passenger railroad system totaling 319 route miles (513 km). As of 2018 , the LIRR's budget for expenditures was $ 1.6 billion plus $ 450 million for debt service, which it supports through
4984-469: The closure of nearby Aqueduct Racetrack . The 430-acre (170 ha) racing, training and barn complex is located on the western edge of the Nassau County region known as the Hempstead Plains. Just a few miles (kilometers) east on the same plains, the first racing meet in North America was held in 1665, supervised by colonial governor Richard Nicolls. The dirt racecourse, known officially as
5073-404: The clubhouse entrance. Lesser known but more visible are the racing motif iron railings seen partially bordering the walking ring. The railings, used as decoration on the south side of the old Belmont grandstand, were salvaged during the 1963 demolition. The original Belmont Park was not only unprecedented in its size but also had the then-new innovation of a Long Island Rail Road extension from
5162-400: The collection of fares (which cover 43% of total expenses) along with dedicated taxes and other MTA revenue. The Long Island Rail Road Company was chartered in 1834 to provide a daily service between New York City and Boston via a ferry connection between its Greenport, New York , terminal on Long Island's North Fork and Stonington, Connecticut . This service was superseded in 1849 by
5251-481: The comment of NYRA President Edward T. Dickinson: "When you sighted down the stands, you could see some of the beams were twisted. They were in something of an S-shape." The old structure was demolished in 1963, along with the Manice Mansion, the turreted 19th-century homestead that served as the headquarters of Belmont's Turf and Field Club. The new grandstand was built from 1964 to 1968. The Inner Turf Course
5340-531: The corresponding passenger branches. The Long Island Rail Road ( reporting mark LI ), or LIRR , is a railroad in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of New York , stretching from Manhattan to the eastern tip of Suffolk County on Long Island . The railroad currently operates a public commuter rail service, with its freight operations contracted to the New York and Atlantic Railway . With an average weekday ridership of 354,800 passengers in 2016, it
5429-480: The first nor second iterations of Belmont Park allowed spectators into the infield. An infield tunnel connecting to the backstretch parking lot has been completed. Beginning in April 2023 construction of a one-mile synthetic racing oval inside the inner turf course had begun. The next phase of reconstruction, scheduled to begin after the 2023 spring and summer meet, includes completion of the synthetic track, widening of
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#17328014089465518-423: The five consecutive Belmont Stakes winners trained by Woody Stephens from 1982 to 1986. The racetrack was also the site of Affirmed 's epic stretch duel with Alydar in the 1978 Belmont Stakes , a victory that gave Affirmed the Triple Crown; and Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew 's defeat of Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup in September of that same year. The Marlboro, a key event of the Fall Championship meets in
5607-436: The inner turf course, and construction of a second infield tunnel near the first turn. NYRA released a statement on May 1, 2023, announcing that state funding for the grandstand reconstruction and other projects had been secured by way of a $ 455 million loan. To accommodate construction, NYRA moved the Belmont fall meet to Aqueduct in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The 2024 Belmont Stakes were moved to Saratoga Race Course , due to
5696-433: The land route through Connecticut that became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad . The LIRR refocused its attentions towards serving Long Island, in competition with other railroads on the island. In the 1870s, railroad president Conrad Poppenhusen and his successor, Austin Corbin acquired all the railroads and consolidated them into the LIRR. The LIRR was unprofitable for much of its history. In 1900,
5785-586: The need for better railroad freight service in New York City and on Long Island . Both areas are primarily served by trucking for freight haulage, an irony in a region with the most extensive rail transit service in the Americas, as well as the worst traffic conditions. Proposals for a Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel for freight have existed for years to alleviate these issues, and, in recent years, there have been many new pushes for its construction by officials. Financial issues, as well as bureaucracy, remain major hurdles in constructing it. In May 1997, freight service
5874-412: The nickname, "the Big Sandy", given its prominent overall dimensions ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (2.4 km)) and the deep, sometimes tiring surface. Belmont is also sometimes known as "The Championship Track" because almost every major champion in racing history since the early 20th century has competed on the racecourse – including all of the Triple Crown winners. Belmont hosted its largest crowd at
5963-401: The old Belmont Park was run in October 1962. In addition to racing history, Belmont Park made history in another industry native to the Hempstead Plains – aviation . Some 150,000 people were drawn to the track on October 30, 1910, at the climax of a Wright Brothers -staged International Aviation Meet at Belmont Park , which had started eight years earlier. The event came at the beginning of
6052-470: The opening of the track in 1905 with the famous dead heat between Sysonby and Race King in the Met Cap . In 1923, Belmont Park was host to an international duel between the American and English champions: Zev , winner of the Kentucky Derby , against Papyrus, winner of The Derby . Zev won by five lengths in front of an estimated crowd of 70,000. Belmont Park was the site of the tragedy-marred victory of Foolish Pleasure over champion filly Ruffian in
6141-476: The pilot program has led the MTA to extend the program up to the summer of 2020 and renewed calls for the program to be implemented within New York City, where the fare for the Freedom Ticket—if approved—would cost US$ 2.75 and include free transfers between the LIRR & Metro-North, bus, and subway. In 2017, it was announced that the MetroCard fare payment system, used on New York City-area rapid transit and bus systems, would be phased out and replaced by OMNY ,
6230-457: The quarter-pole of the main track; the course was removed in 1958. Two features of the original Belmont Park remain today. The first is the display of four stone pillars on Hempstead Turnpike , a gift from the mayor and park commissioners of Charleston, South Carolina . The pillars had stood at the entrance of the Washington Course of the South Carolina Jockey Club in Charleston, which operated from 1792 to 1882. The stone pillars are now found at
6319-400: The race, and most sources say the racetrack itself was also named for him. The race was first run in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx. In 1937, the wrought iron gates that bore an illustration of that first Belmont Stakes were donated to Belmont Park by August Belmont II's sole surviving son, Perry Belmont. The gates were located on the fourth floor of Belmont Park's clubhouse until
6408-442: The railroad expanded its east end parlor car service with luxury coaches and Pullman cars from railroads that were discontinuing their passenger trains. The LIRR and other railroads that became part of the system have always had freight service, though this has diminished. The process of shedding freight service accelerated with the acquisition of the railroad by New York State. In the 21st century, there has been some appreciation of
6497-401: The railroad utilizes a variety of wayside railroad signals including position light, color light and dwarf signals. In addition, much of the LIRR is equipped with a bi-directional Pulse code cab signaling called automatic speed control (ASC), though portions of the railway still retain single direction, wayside-only signaling. Unlike other railroads, which began using color-light signals in
6586-454: The renovations, and the 2025 Belmont Stakes are planned for Saratoga as well. As of July 2024, the second Belmont Park is completely demolished with reconstruction planned until September 2026. The new grandstand, when finished, would likely result in the track hosting the Breeders' Cup for the first time since 2005. Ultimately, sometime in late 2026, the project will ultimately lead to
6675-493: The same fare applies for travel between any station in the origin zone and any station in the destination zone. Peak fares are charged during the week on trains that arrive at western terminals between 6 AM and 10 AM, and for trains that depart from western terminals between 4 PM and 8 PM. Any passenger holding an off-peak ticket on a peak train is required to pay a step up fee. Passengers can buy tickets from ticket agents or ticket vending machines (TVMs) or on
6764-647: The same time providing affordable service to people with long commutes. The details were to be announced in spring 2017, and the pilot would last six months. The MTA Board voted to approve a six-month pilot for a similar concept, the Atlantic Ticket, in May 2018. The Atlantic Ticket is similar in that it would allow LIRR riders in southeast Queens to purchase a one-way ticket to or from Atlantic Terminal for $ 5. The Atlantic Ticket would start in June 2018. The success of
6853-484: The second floor of the clubhouse featuring the dominant jockeys, trainers and racing personalities celebrates the track's history. The final day of racing at the second Belmont Park was held on July 9, 2023. Demolition on the second Belmont Park began in March 2024 and was completed in June 2024. In July 2017, New York State officials announced that vacant parking lots behind the Belmont grandstand had been put to tender for two area top-level professional sports teams:
6942-537: The subway and bus systems. Additionally, almost all stations in Brooklyn and Queens offer connections with the New York City Bus system, and several stations also have transfers to New York City Subway stations. Transfers to Nassau Inter-County Express and Suffolk County Transit buses are available at many stations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, respectively. Like Metro-North Railroad and NJ Transit,
7031-475: The text Long Island Rail Road , and appears on the sides of trains. The LIRR is one of two commuter rail systems owned by the MTA, the other being the Metro-North Railroad in the northern suburbs of the New York area. Established in 1834 (the first section between the Brooklyn waterfront and Jamaica opened on April 18, 1836) and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest railroad in
7120-526: The then-recent directional change when he has a character at Belmont say (speaking of a recent race) "At that time, they run the wrong way of the track, like you would deal cards". A later innovation was created by Joseph E. Widener , who took over track leadership when August Belmont II died in 1924: the Widener Chute. It was a straightaway of just under 7 furlongs (1.4 km) that cut diagonally through Belmont's training and main tracks, hitting near
7209-514: The third quarter of 2010, controls the area around Jamaica terminal by direct control of interlockings. This replaced several towers in Jamaica including Jay and Hall towers at the west and east ends of Jamaica station respectively. At additional locations, line side towers control the various switches and signals in accordance with the timetable and under the direction of the Movement Bureau in Jamaica. Today's LIRR signal system has evolved from its legacy Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR)-based system, and
7298-503: The time of day, within the fare zones specified on the pass. The LIRR charged off-peak fares at all times during the COVID-19 pandemic . Peak fares were reinstated on March 1, 2022, and several new discounts and ticket options were introduced at the same time. During the summer the railroad offers special summer package ticket deals to places such as Long Beach, Jones Beach, the Hamptons, Montauk, and Greenport. Passengers traveling to
7387-427: The train from conductors, but will incur an on-board penalty fee for doing so. This fee is waived for customers boarding at a station without a ticket office or ticket machine, senior citizens, people with disabilities or Medicare customers. There are several types of tickets: one way, round trip, peak, off-peak, AM peak or off-peak senior/disabled, peak child, and off-peak child. On off-peak trains, passengers can buy
7476-441: The train, and a conductor who is responsible for the safe movement of the train, fare collection and on-board customer service. In addition, trains may have one or more assistant conductors to assist with fare collection and other duties. The LIRR is one of the last railroads in the United States to use mechanical interlocking control towers to regulate rail traffic. As of 2016 , the LIRR has 8 active control towers. All movements on
7565-438: The training track, permitting races of up to a mile and a quarter but was shortened because a crossover is now infeasible given the clay base of the Main Track and stone-dust base of the training track. Before the 1990 Breeders' Cup, the outer rail of the Main Track was moved back to widen the middle of the clubhouse turn and soften the angle of the start of the 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (2.0 km) Classic . The training track
7654-631: The two chutes that exist on the Widener Turf Course, from which turf races of 1 mile (1.6 km) and 1 + 1 ⁄ 16 miles (1.7 km) are started; an additional chute exists for races of 1 + 1 ⁄ 16 miles (1.7 km) on the Inner Turf Course. A straightaway chute leads on to the backstretch of the Main Track and permits races on the dirt up to 1 + 1 ⁄ 8 miles (1.8 km) long to be run with one turn. The chute used to extend further back across
7743-526: The week for $ 5. The MTA announced plans in December 2022 to allow CityTickets to be used on peak trains as well; governor Kathy Hochul confirmed these plans the next month. The peak CityTickets, as announced in July 2023, would cost $ 7 each. As part of a one-year pilot program starting in July 2024, monthly tickets for LIRR trips entirely within New York City would also receive a 10% discount. CityTicket
7832-613: Was also added during this time period. The Belmont race meetings were moved to Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park , Queens from 1963 to 1968. The $ 30.7 million grandstand, designed by Arthur Froehlich , was opened May 20, 1968, and was the largest in Thoroughbred racing. It had a total attendance capacity of more than 100,000, including a seating capacity of 33,000 and an adjoining backyard being able to accommodate more than 10,000. A long mural by Pierre Bellocq on
7921-614: Was franchised on a 20-year term to the New York and Atlantic Railway (NYAR), a short line railroad owned by the Anacostia and Pacific Company . It has its own equipment and crews, but uses the rail facilities of the LIRR. To the east, freight service operates to the end of the West Hempstead Branch, to Huntington on the Port Jefferson Branch, to Bridgehampton on the Montauk Branch, and to Riverhead on
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