Chainsaw Carving the Belmont Breakthrough: Capturing the Energy of the Starting Gate

Some will say that the most exciting three minutes of horse racing is the finish line. Others will argue it’s the exact split-second at the gate. For us at Monumental, it is definitively the start. It’s a metaphor, really—as we stand at the gate of this massive new project, we are unleashing a brand-new creative journey of our own.

Belmont Vortex in action at Belmont Park

The contract is officially signed, the blueprints are locked, and our southern studio is about to get incredibly loud.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has formally engaged us to build a permanent landmark centerpiece—a legacy carving that honors the historic redesign and grand opening ceremony of the new Belmont Race Park, set for September 18–21. Me, DustyGirl, and Corey (The Worden) are locking down the shop to execute a massive installation we are calling The Belmont Breakthrough.

Chainsaw Carving: Unleashing the Energy of the Gate

This isn't a static, traditional wood carving. The entire concept is designed to capture a vortex of pure, explosive kinetic energy—the power and speed of a thoroughbred horse bursting straight out of the starting gate.

We are taking massive timber to sculpt a 10-foot-tall titan (8ft x 7ft x 10ft structural footprint). We are hitting the timber with aggressive, deep reliefs and heavy textures to convey that explosive forward motion. We are carving the exact split-second where muscle, timber, and velocity collide.

[Corey's Hand Sketch is Locked in Above]

Documenting the Journey

I will be filming and documenting all the behind-the-scenes action of this studio build and carve. I’ll be updating you right here on the Build Log at every major milestone of this project—from the first cuts in the studio, to the cross-country road trip, all the way to dropping this massive piece of history right onto the New York turf.

Trackside Live Activation: 3 Days of Dust

The energy hits its peak at the official dedication ceremony, with the Governor onsite to mark this historic milestone for New York racing. Corey "The Worden" and I will be live trackside chainsaw carving horses for 3 days straight right in front of the crowds! These custom pieces are being created as elite corporate gifts for the ceremony.

Time to get to work.

— DustyGirl