They’re finally in the home stretch.
It’s been a massive few weeks in Nassau with the reopening of Belmont Park racetrack galloping in a new day for the Islanders’ home at adjacent UBS Arena, as collaborative ideas are turning the connected properties into a true entertainment complex — most notably in the hopes of an outdoor hockey game on the spacious infield.
“The NHL has talked about it as well,” Isles director of business operations Kelly Cheeseman told The Post.
“I think we’d love to see that.”
The recently opened track, which will be fully operational months before June’s Belmont Stakes and can expand to 50,000 for the big race, is already luring hockey fans as a far cry from the old, bulky concrete grandstand.
Several folks wearing Islanders jerseys paid a modest $10 for general admission to see afternoon races before trotting a few steps away for the hockey team’s 6-0 dominant home-opener win over the Devils Saturday night.
The expansive park grounds have an inviting and open feel for impromptu race spectators attending a later-on event at the arena that opened in 2021.
“It’s really a campus now,” NYRA CEO David O’Rourke told The Post ahead of the opening.
He believes one of the biggest draws for newcomers and devout racegoers alike is the spaciously redesigned paddock for nose-to-nose interactions with the fleet equines.
“I think [the track] has something for everyone at this point.”
Cheeseman wants to see the acres of soon-to-be fan-accessible infield and surrounding grandstands also used for music, food and wine festivals — another game changer unique to the area.
O’Rourke feels the horses paddock — now twice as large as the old Belmont — also doubles “as a mini amphitheater.”
“If you had a more quaint type of performance, you could do it right in the paddock.”
The track’s new footprint made the Islanders shift several of the team’s free, fan-beloved outdoor game-day attractions like shooting pucks at full-size nets with former players’ sticks, corn hole, fire pits, bounce castles and stage to a condensed space near UBS’s Amex entrance.
Aside from the smaller space, the only significant difference is that the zone is no longer BYOB-friendly, as a $5 beer garden has been installed.
There’s another new green space is inside UBS Arena, which will host the NHL All-Star Game this February.
A golf simulator was recently installed on its suite level with virtual access to local iconic courses like Bethpage and Shinnecock.
“We’re trying to really represent the culture of Long Island – golf is obviously one of those,” Cheeseman added.
There have also been some cosmetic tweaks, like new synchronized light shows, smoke cannons, and an added 90 seats within the venue.
Cheeseman said this year has placed a major emphasis on “fun and creativity,” especially to appeal to younger fans drawn in by an exciting class of youth talent already shining on the ice.
“Our young players like Matthew [Schaefer] and [Victor] Eklund, I think, speak well to the younger generation.”
The arena even introduced a kid-friendly frankenfood for the new season — a brie grilled cheese with gummy Nerds clusters melted that went viral quicker than a Schaefer wrist shot.
More family-friendly action is planned for blue and orange fans across Hempstead Turnpike at the connected Belmont Park Village shops, including a fall maze and other fun Halloween haunts later in October.
The luxury retail district has also been coming into its own since August, with a major leap in eight new openings like G-Star, Kiton and Monica Vinader.
Another 12, including Kate Middleton-worn Reiss and Boss, are slated to open by Black Friday, according to village president Valerie Leon.
“There’s a lot of curiosity and excitement,” she said, praising the expedited opening of the combined 20 storefronts.
A total 60 of Belmont’s 90 stores are game-ready this fall — with its final 30 good to go in early 2027.
Leon added that a “very exciting” upscale restaurant will also be announced in the new year.
Fans have plenty of Islanders and equestrian crossovers to look for ahead of that broader timeframe, as team-themed Dot cakes will make their way to kiosks at the open-air concourse, along with further activations around the All-Star Game.
Cheeseman anticipates the village doubling over for live music on game days.
Plenty is going on even when the Islanders are on the road, as the village will be holding SoulCycle partnership rides with Northwell Health on Oct. 17.
“It’s been a wonderful development, and we’ve definitely seen an increase in footsteps,” Leon said of the past few bustling weeks.
