SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. \u2014 For a second consecutive year, the Belmont Stakes is being run at historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York, creating a buzz in the city that closes off Broadway downtown with the sport’s spotlight shining.<\/p>\n
Saratoga itself is a draw for avid fans, given the track\u2019s place in horse racing history and a nod to its roots, but the debate continues about how to keep the Triple Crown relevant for a casual audience.<\/p>\n
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the nation, dating back to before the Declaration of Independence. But unlike then, horse racing now has to compete for attention in a crowded sports landscape.<\/p>\n
Racetracks like Saratoga have attempted to make the weekend a spectacle, with bands and activities throughout the races in hopes of showing the greatness of horse racing and what a day at the track looks like.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great day out, lots of excitement,\u201d said Michael Banahan of Godolphin, who owns Kentucky Derby winner and Belmont contender Sovereignty. \u201cThere are a lot of things that go on during the race week, as well. \u2026 I think just some people that hadn\u2019t seen that before are beginning to enjoy that.”<\/p>\n
The outreach extends beyond the track. Places like America’s Best Racing are working to educate casual fans about everything from betting to how well horses are taken care of and what to expect on race day.<\/p>\n
It has connected with celebrities and influencers to get them involved in horse racing. That most recently included TikTok star Griffin Johnson, who was given a small ownership stake in Derby and Preakness horse Sandman.<\/p>\n
Johnson showed himself getting ready for the races, bathing Sandman and showing what the colt does on his off day. Through this, the combined accounts of ABR and Johnson totaled 268 million-plus impressions and 111 million views.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to have another young horse racing fan in the room,\u201d said ABR\u2019s director of digital marketing, Rachel Miller. “But, obviously, the same formula isn\u2019t going to work forever. It\u2019s going to reach a point where maybe Griffin\u2019s involvement in racing may stall out or Sandman\u2019s not racing anymore. There are just so many unknown variables, especially in this sport, and that\u2019s one of the harder sells.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s another option to draw more viewers, but it\u2019s controversial.<\/p>\n
Journalism wins the Preakness Stakes 2025 race at Pimlico | PHOTOS<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n