Roger Cettina, a senior vice president at AECOM Tishman, is overseeing the reconstruction of the iconic Belmont Park grandstand, a project that represents a full-circle moment for the hall of fame horse bettor. Cettina, whose passion for horse racing began with small bets in his youth at Belmont, has transitioned from a successful handicapper to a key figure in rebuilding the legendary Long Island venue.
"Our company was lucky enough to get the contract to do this, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Cettina told The Post. "Like, wow, a horse player like me could actually build the new Belmont Park — someplace that I came so often when I was younger."
The 59-year-old's journey into professional construction management began with a childhood fascination with horse racing. Growing up in Tenafly, New Jersey, Cettina would frequent Belmont Park before heading to the Meadowlands track for evening races. His betting started modestly, with small wagers in his late teens, but evolved over time.
Approximately 15 years ago, Cettina began participating in high-stakes national contests, investing over $5,000 of his own money. He described his approach to betting as analytical, viewing it as "math" and "a puzzle to figure out." This dedication paid off significantly.
In 2013, Cettina achieved a second-place finish in the National Horseplayers Championship, earning $200,000. Competing against hundreds of entries over three days, participants wager on numerous races from across the country, with the highest cumulative total winning. Cettina came narrowly close to first place, missing it by $1.20.
He continued his success, securing another runner-up spot in 2015 and pocketing an additional $230,000. Between these two championships, Cettina won nearly half a million dollars, having invested less than that amount. His consistent performance made him the only contestant in NHC history to place second more than once.
The Daily Racing Form recognized Cettina's expertise in 2016, and the following year, he was inducted into the NHC Hall of Fame. Despite fluctuating results in subsequent seasons, Cettina estimates a stable lifetime net profit of around $300,000.
Cettina's career in construction management has also been notable, with involvement in major projects such as the Goldman Sachs Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, renovations to the Javits Center, and the construction of One and Two Manhattan West near Hudson Yards. However, the opportunity to rebuild Belmont Park, which began in 2024, stood out as a dream project.
Despite relocating to Sea Bright, New Jersey, Cettina committed to the demanding schedule. He stayed during weekdays in a friend's basement in West Hempstead and sometimes in the Bronx, commuting back to the Jersey Shore on weekends for the past two years. He expressed his enthusiasm for the unique experience of contributing to the construction of a racetrack he has long admired.