The New York Racing Association is bringing back Bel-Mint Stakes, the mint-cookie ice cream tribute that marks the return of the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Race Course. The rebranded Stewart’s Shops flavor will be sold through Sunday, June 7, when the final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival wraps up at the track.
For fans, the timing is built around the race itself. The 158th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets is set for Saturday, June 6, during the festival scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 7.
The flavor first appeared in 2025 and is tied to the Belmont’s green-themed color scheme. Stewart’s describes it as green mint ice cream with a chocolate cookie crumble swirl, and the ice cream is available at more than 175 participating Stewart’s Shops locations in the Greater Capital Region. Ceremonial first tastings were held at the Stewart’s Shop at 402 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, where Todd Shimkus, Deann Devitt, Darryl Leggieri, Ryan McMahon and Bill Majewski all took part.
Chad Kiesow, president of Stewart’s Shops, said the return of Bel-Mint Stakes is a fun way to celebrate the Belmont and world-class racing coming back to Saratoga Springs. He also said Stewart’s and Saratoga Race Course have been strong partners for years, and that the promotion is one more example of how the two sides work together to support an event that draws racing fans and energy into the city.
The ice cream is only one piece of the promotion. NYRA is also working with Stewart’s on a three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival admission pass for $99, which covers general admission on Thursday, June 4, Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. The package represents a 15 percent savings versus buying each day separately.
Stewart’s is also selling $50 NYRA Bets Gift Cards that can be used for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16, the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6 and the 46-day Saratoga summer meet from July 3 through Labor Day. The cards can fund both active and new NYRA Bets accounts, carry no processing fees and do not expire. NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of NYRA.
Pat McKenna said the partnership gives racing fans a convenient way to buy Belmont Stakes Festival admission and NYRA Bets gift cards, while also picking up a scoop of Bel-Mint Stakes ice cream. That mix of nostalgia and ticketing pushes the promotion beyond a novelty: it is a merchandising campaign wrapped around the final Belmont run at Saratoga, with race-day attendance and wagering access folded in. The question for fans is not whether the flavor is back — it is how much of the festival Stewart’s and NYRA can turn into a repeat summer habit before Saratoga’s next meet begins.