Belmont Stakes to be held June 20

With the Kentucky Derby and Preakness now scheduled for later in the year, the Belmont Stakes will kick off this year's Triple Crown.

The race will be held in Elmont, New York, on June 20, with no spectators in attendance, officials said Tuesday. It had been set for June 6, prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The Kentucky Derby, traditionally held on the first Saturday in May, has been rescheduled to Sept. 5, and the Preakness was moved from May 16 to Oct. 3.

The New York Racing Association has also shortened the event from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles. Dave O'Rourke, the association's president and CEO, said on Tuesday he thinks the field will be "big" and "really competitive," and fans will see a "completely different race than the traditional Belmont would be." On Saturday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said horse racing could start in the state again as early as June 1, as long as the stands remain empty.

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