Horse racing fans returned to Belmont Park for the first time in three years Friday, following a nearly half-billion dollar investment from the state that Gov. Kathy Hochul says is a good bet.

Starting the day to the sound of high-pitched whinnies and thundering hooves was always a fond memory for Mary-Grace Tomecki.

“I went to high school across the street from Belmont Racetrack. I can remember being in English class and seeing them practice, the horses being practiced and running around the racetrack,” she told NY1.

Now, they’re back at Belmont Park for the first time in three years.

“Building a facility like this means we’re likely going to attract the next generation of horse-goers and the horsey-scene,” Tomecki said.

Robert headed to Elmont, Long Island, from the city on the Long Island Rail Road and shuttle bus.

“The entrances are much further away. You can’t get to the front door as you used to. You have to walk a distance,” he said.

Thanks to a $455 million state loan, there’s a brand new, largely glass-enclosed grandstand, seating, restaurants and backyard paddock area.

Although the deal included the shuttering of the century-old Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, the New York Racing Association put in $100 million for four new tracks.

Fans say they miss parts of the old track.

“All together different, it’s not the same. They elevated the track so you’re not as close down to where the horses are,” Robert said.

Seating has been cut by almost one-third: down from 27,000 seats to 10,000 seats.

“I don’t love it. As a common fan who likes to sit in those seats, I think we’re catering a little bit to the richer in the box seats,” said Alex, whose company helped work on the building.

Hochul cheered the opening.

“With the new Belmont Park, New York enters into a league of its own,” Hochul said in remarks before the ribbon-cutting Friday morning.

She also went to the Buffalo Bills’ home-opener Thursday night. The new stadium is also brand new, thanks to a nearly billion dollar taxpayer funded deal.

“They’ve already paid back of this $455 million loan, $50 million,” Hochul said later in an interview with NY1.

“So this will be a net win for New York taxpayers. But the $300 million economic impact, plus the jobs that are being created right here on Long Island, it’s extraordinary,” she added.

Hochul’s Republican opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, was conspicuously absent from his home turf, instead stumping in Rochester.

“I didn’t do this five years [ago] with an election in Bruce Blakeman’s backyard in mind. I assure you that,” she told NY1.

“I don’t do any state dollars unless I know there’s going to be a return on our investment,” she added.

Racing will continue throughout the winter, and renovations are projected for completion by next spring.