belmont stakes history
belmont stakes history
The Belmont Stakes is known as the 3rd jewel in the Triple Crown. Linked forever with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes has its own singular history, something that sets it apart from the grand races that make up the Triple Crown package. It is this history that makes Belmont Stakes tickets coveted items in the world of horse racing. Even without the possibility of a Triple Crown winner emerging, racing fans still flock to Belmont to see this one of kind event in racing.
The Belmont Stakes can be traced back to 1867 with the inaugural race being run at Jerome Park., making it the longest running race in the Triple Crown, older than both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and giving the Belmont the distinction of being one of the oldest races in the United States. Furthermore, the continuous history of the Belmont means that it has been run more times than any other race except the Phoenix and the Queens Plate.
The Belmont Stakes, now being run at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., presents some towering challenges to the thoroughbreds that make it to the course. The distance of 1.5 miles is longer than the horses are used to, making it difficult to maintain top speeds the whole course. This makes the timing and position of the horse more important in the Belmont than any other race. The Belmont is as much a test of a thoroughbreds endurance as speed, hence the name “Test of the Champion” that has been given the Belmont. It has also been called “The Run for the Carnations” because of the flowers draped over the winning horse.
Belmont ticket holders have seen their share of the world’s most famous horses, and some surprises along the way. In 2005, Afleet Alex took the win, and in 2004, Birdstone was a long shot winner. Triple Crown winners to make their mark in history at the Belmont include Affirmed, Seattle Slew, and Secretariat.
The Belmont Stakes draws visitors from all over the world every year to descend on Belmont Park and witness history. Steeped in tradition and packed full of the excitement that only thoroughbred horse racing can offer, the Belmont Stake is a true American sports icon.
