By Dan Israeli
The Elmont community also has big hopes - in the form of urban renewal - something the big race can assist by drawing in patrons to the park and businesses to the surrounding area.
It's been more than three months since the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the state signed a 25-year franchise agreement on Feb. 13 to continue thoroughbred racing at the park, along with Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA is under a closer watch with the new deal, due to the creation of a Franchise Oversight Board that will evaluate whether the organization has met certain financial and performance benchmarks. NYRA has also been urged to improve its relationship with the Elmont community. Local leaders have criticised NYRA in the past for being a bad neighbor.
With its flagship event approaching, Belmont has set plans to "enhance the experience" for the local community, according to NYRA spokesman John Lee. A week before the big race, Belmont will host an Elmont Family Fun Day at the park on June 1, featuring sporting activities and refreshments. Admission, parking and food will be offered free to Elmont residents, with proof as residence, as part of NYRA's effort to give back to the community.
Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, said that the effort is encouraging, but also pointed to the community's bigger need - economic development. Smith noted that the magnitude of the Belmont Stakes hasn't quite translated to booming business on Hempstead Turnpike.
"Considering that the Triple Crown is always a big deal, over the years it hasn't done very much for Elmont," Smith said. "It's all tied into economic development. If we don't develop the area, there is nothing to encourage people to come to Elmont after the Belmont Stakes is over. Some people don't even realize that the race is in Elmont."
Ed Ambrosino, Hempstead Town councilman, agreed that combining revitalization with the Belmont Stakes can generate the economic surge the community needs. "The Belmont Stakes is a major sporting event, and the Triple Crown always elevates the excitement and buzz," Ambrosino said. "It can only become good for Elmont, but we need to make a major investment in infrastructure before Belmont can thrive."
If Big Brown does fulfill his legacy on June 6, becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed 30 years ago, Ambrosino sees the feat as a possible turning point. "One of the key points of revitalization is to capture and capitalize on the potential of a Triple Crown winner," he said. "We haven't done it yet, but it's part of our efforts."
Xavier Rodriguez, secretary of the Locustwood/Gotham Civic Association acknowledged the potential of harnessing the Belmont Stakes's appeal, to spread enthusiasm for Belmont over an entire year. "The week of the Belmont Stakes has the potential of having a long lasting positive influence on the community," he said. "As long as NYRA puts family and community first, success will spill over to the neighboring businesses and be a positive component to the surrounding communities."
Lee said that the race continues to be a big draw every year. "It brings a lot of people to the area," he said. "The first beneficiaries are always the restaurants and gas stations. As people find their way to Belmont, they have to make their way through Elmont, and hopefully the community can capitalize on that."
While he agreed that there is a strong need for development to make the Belmont Stakes a real draw for Elmont, Rodriguez recognized the magnitude of the big race, and its historic implications this year. "Not every community has the opportunity to be on television with the whole world watching," he said. "I hope that once again, Elmont will be in the history book as we celebrate another Triple Crown winner."
The defiant Big Brown
Smarty Jones was the last horse with a shot at horse racing's Triple Crown - a clean sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes - but the colt fell short on the last leg. Big Brown will attempt the become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, and according to his trainer Rick Dutrow, there is no horse in the field that can stop him.
"The other horses in the race, I don't see them being a factor," said Dutrow, standing outside Big Brown's barn at Belmont. "It doesn't really matter. When they draw the post (horses running) we'll see what we have in store for us."
Big Brown is co-owned by Michael Iavarone of Holbrook. The horse, ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux, is unbeaten in five races, one of which was a victory up at Saratogo Race course. Big Brown has never raced at Belmont and it's mile-and-a-half long dirt course, the longest in thoroughbred racing. "He can handle this racetrack," Dutrow said. "He's been adjusting to every park very well."
Big Brown's biggest competition is shaping up to be Casino Drive, a Japanese horse with only two races under his belt. He most recently won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 10, rode by none other than Desormeaux. Casino Drive has good lineage at the Belmont Stakes - his sister, Rags to Riches, won the race last year, while his half-brother, Jazil, won it in 2006.
Courtesy bus shuttles for residents
On Belmont Stakes Day, NYRA offers courtesy shuttle buses that will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate the residents of Elmont.
The Elmont Shuttle will travel from Belmont Park south on Plainfield across Hempstead and on to Elmont Road, turn east at Dutch Broadway to north Meacham Ave across Hempstead and continue on Covert. At Tulip Street, the bus turns west and returns to Belmont Park.
The courtesy shuttles will stop at each of the Nassau County bus stops along the route. At the end of the race day, the shuttle will reverse its route to accommodate the one way traffic patterns.
The courtesy shuttles will depart on the half hour starting at 10 a.m. They will drop off and pickup patrons at the front of the Clubhouse entrance.
Comments about this story? DIsraeli@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
