Long Island Sports

Belmont Park Race Track

Can you find another sporting event that costs as little as $2 for a ticket, $2 for parking and lets you bring your own food and drinks?

That's the deal at Belmont Park Race Track in Elmont. Spend the day in the backyard area of the grandstand with family and friends, enjoy a picnic atmosphere and watch the races on the big screens. So pack that cooler (alcohol is allowed, just no glass bottles) and have fun. There are betting windows (automated machines) outside for your convenience. It's a gambler's paradise, even for the casual $2 win bettor.

Sunday is Family Fun Day at Belmont, with face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable rides and live music. And parents, check this out: It's all free.

Breakfast at Belmont starts at 7 a.m. and you'll enjoy trackside dining followed by a tram ride around the park to learn more about thoroughbred racing and horses in general.

In today's world, placing a bet on a horse race is as simple as picking up the phone or logging into a Web site. But it can't come close to matching the experience of being at the races at Belmont Park.

And it's a very inexpensive day out for you . . . unless you bet big on all the 50-1 longshots.

Belmont Stakes: Admission is $10 and no alcohol can be brought in. The Stakes typically draws more than 80,000 people -- more than 100,000 if a horse is going for the Triple Crown -- so plan your travel accordingly. The LIRR has a stop at Belmont Park (See schedule).

Nearby dining

• King Umberto
• Arturo's
• Fiore
• Villa d'Este
• Isono

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