Location
Belmont Park, in Elmont N.Y., U.S.A.
Belmont Stakes at a Glance
Established: 1867
Style: Grade I American stakes race, for thoroughbred gelding/colts age three
Type of Track/length: Left-handed on dirt over 1 ½ miles
Stakes: U.S. One million
The Belmont Stakes is held every year in June, located at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. It is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, following up the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
It has been dubbed the run for the carnations because of the traditional blanket of white carnations placed over the winning horse.
The first Belmont Stakes however was not located in Elmont. In 1866 Leonard Jerome, a stock market speculator, built Jerome Park Racetrack, which was financed by August Belmont Sr. because of this his name was granted for the race itself. The Belmont Stakes continued on there until 1890 when it was moved to Morris Park racecourse then in 1905 the new Belmont Park was first opened, and the race has been held there ever since.
Prior to 1921 the race was run in the English tradition of clockwise, but since has been run in the American tradition of counter clockwise.
The tradition of the silver cup being awarded to the winning horse was first begun in 1926, and was originally a gift to the Belmont family by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The cup could easily be considered a work of art. Held up by replicas of three famous horses, Herod, Matchem, and Eclipse, the foundation sires to the world of thoroughbreds. Proudly resting on top is Fenian, who claimed the win of the third running of the Belmont Stakes in 1869.
The Belmont Stakes is best known and considered as “the test of the champions,” because most three year olds may lack the stamina for such a long track, being unaccustomed to such an amount of endurance. Not to mention their need to maintain a winning speed for the duration of the race itself. Making the Belmont stakes truly the final test to the proving of a champion.
In the history of the race there have only been two which won the Belmont Stakes as jockey and trainer, and that title goes to, George M. Odom, and James G. Rowe.
In 1984, Sarah Lundy became the first female trainer to saddle a horse in the Belmont Stakes.
In 1993 the first female jockey to win a triple crown, by finishing with a win at the Belmont Stakes was Julie Krone riding Colonial Affair.
One of the most amazing titles to ever be held at the Belmont Stakes goes to Secretariat who in 1973 set a world record at 2:24 flat, (Not only for the race itself but for the mile and a half on dirt). His 31 lengths margin of victory is not only a race record, but remains the largest in the history of American Grade I stakes racing.
For 2008 with 38-1 Belmont Stakes odds, Da’ Tara wore the carnations, and owner Robert V. LaPenta holds the cup.
Records sourced from;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_Stakes
Betting the Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the oldest Triple Crown race and the fourth oldest race in North America. So it is no wonder it draws hundreds of thousands every year to witness the final and greatest test of endurance for any horse, for the last leg of the Triple Crown.
The passion for betting the Belmont Stakes is shared by many enthusiasts the world over. However the luxury of betting the Belmont Stakes is not only accessible to track enthusiasts alone. With online betting sites, and televised coverage, you take the next best step to being there, without having to adjust your schedule. Take advantage of betting the Belmont Stakes from anywhere you happen to be, when you bet the derby, with a simple click of your mouse.
