Shanno:

Indeed Belmont is closer to JFK. If your business does not require you to be in
Manhattan, there are some very nice hotels in Garden City which are convenient
to Belmont.

In Manhattan, I always recommend the Parker Meridien on 56th Street.

Best bet in terms of getting to Belmont from Manhattan-- Long Island Railroad
train from Penn Station will take you directly to Belmont. You can study the
TGs on the way to the track without being interrupted by a surly NYC cabbie.