Finishing Touches Put On Belmont Park Prior To Opening Day
ELMONT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - From the track to the rest of the grounds, staffers are putting the finishing touches on Belmont Park before the place comes alive Wednesday for Opening Day.
Fans are not only looking forward to the horse races, but are hoping getting to and from the track will be a much better experience than last year when the Long Island Railroad was jam-packed, especially the day of the big Belmont Stakes.
"It's like a nightmare, it's like sardines. You walk like a soldier trying to get off there. Sometimes you miss a race because of it," Queens resident Anthony Taddeo told CBS2.
Last year, more than 100,000 people came out to see California Chrome lose the Triple Crown, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.
This year, track officials and the LIRR are promising a smoother and more comfortable ride thanks to big updates made over the last several months.
"We have put in approximately $5 million in improvements which is resulting in the construction of two new station platforms," Belmont Spokesman John Durso Jr. said.
Durso says the makeover includes new staircases to direct the big crowds right into the racetrack.
The LIRR gave CBS2 an exclusive peek at the new elevated platforms that will be ready to handle the racetrack's spring opening.
"What the LIRR has done is they've extended the platforms to accommodate 10-car trains, previously the were able to accommodate eight-car trains," Durso said.
Fans hope that helps big time, especially for this year's Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6.
In addition to the new railroad improvements, there are also new security restrictions. Drones and selfie sticks will not be allowed in the park.
