Belmont tickets
 

Was hoping for some direction regarding Belmont tickets. My brother missed his first derby in 10 years this year due to the birth of his daughter.

In what seems like a little bit of fate...he has to be in Philly this week on business. So he is wanting to drive to BEL saturday afternoon for the races.

He would like to be somewhere where he has a chance to actually see the race. He will most likely arrive around 3:30/4:00 Saturday afternoon. At that time will there be tickets available on the secondary market? Never been to Belmont. He of course can buy gen admission but would prefer 3rd floor clubhouse. Is he better off buying from stubhub?

Anyone with local knowledge that can provide some direction would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I've never been to the Belmont when an actual TC was on the line. Unfortunately I'll Have Another scratched the year I was going. But from what I witnessed that day crowd wise, trying to show up at Belmont 4:00 on Saturday sounds like an absolute suicide mission.

He's going to need tickets ahead of time, any extra's will probably be sold by 9:30 am, no chance at finding anything at 4:00.

I saw quite a few GA's on stub hub yesterday for under 20 bucks...

Yeah Jim, but showing up at 4:00 with a GA ticket just might get you a view of a TV in the backyard. Good Luck getting any kind of view of the actual track.

Unless I'm mistaken, he can buy general admission any time. I don't think Belmont sells out general admission or clubhouse, since you're not guaranteed a seat. It's going to be bedlam, but it can be done. I'm going to buy general admission at the gate (earlier in the day), and while Smarty Jones' Belmont was crazy on general admission, I lived to tell the tale.

He might (might) be able to buy tickets for a reserved seat when he gets there- I had an acquaintance who bought two tickets for $75 each for reserved seats in 2004 from a guy outside the gate. But there's always the risk they're fakes.

Here's the link to the page about tickets on the NYRA site. It says walkup tickets will be available:

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/grandsta...elmont-stakes/

You bring up a good point. May be able to get a panicking scalper at 5:00 PM

Been to the Belmont four times, twice when a triple crown was on the line, always bought GA at the door. Plan to do so again.

You can somewhat see the track if you're tall and stand at the back of the apron, since it slopes. Don't stand behind the benches, though, cause everyone stands up on the benches. If you smoke a cigar, that'll give you some elbow room (and a few dirty looks).

About two weeks back (perhaps more), NYRA President Chris Kay mentioned that general admission ($10) and clubhouse admission ($30) might be closed earlier than the actual post-time (11:30am) on Saturday.

In the report that I read, Kay mentioned that he did not want to stuff 120,000+ people into the facility and would rather keep the headcount manageable in the 100,000 range. Whether or not this turns out to be the case remains to be seen; however, anything you can do to make your admission process simpler will be to your benefit. This includes advance purchasing for the 146th Belmont Stakes program.

I doubt they'll close the doors, but it's good advice nevertheless. It was fairly easy getting print-at-home GA tickets at Ticketmaster, and I don't even want to risk driving up to NY and getting shut out.

from NYRA.com:

There is VERY LIMITED availability remaining in the North Shore Terrace, Marquee Tent, Festival Tent and Trackside Tent. Please call our box office at 844-NYRA-TIX or email boxoffice@nyrainc.com for more information.

A DTer is at Belmont today and talked to the employees there. They said there's no way they're closing the general admission tomorrow. It'll be fine. Hot, crowded, exhausting, but fine.

Now my big concern is getting a souvenir glass before they're all gone. ;)

(I fully admit, my stubbornness is due to my hating Ticketmaster with the heat of a thousand fiery suns and not wanting them to get any service charge money out of me.)