Belmont Stakes Facts
Written May 29, 2008 by Jason Lowry
With the Belmont Stakes right around the corner and an end to the 5 weeks of racing that brings you the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in the 3 leg race for the Triple Crown. There have only been 11 horses to win the Triple Crown, and it’s been 30 years since the last thoroughbred horse has done so. Big Brown will get his chance to join that group as he tries to make history with another big win at the Belmont Stakes. Besides that there are plenty of other interesting things that go along with this historic race. Here is a look at some interesting facts that go along with the Belmont Stakes.
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The Race:
Location –Belmont Park in Elmont, New York
Date –Saturday June 7th., 2008
Distance –1 ½ mile dirt track
Horses –3 year old thoroughbred colts and geldings
TV & Time –5 PM (EST) on ABC
Race –140th running, first ran in 1867 and is the oldest of the Triple Crown races
Nickname – “Test of the Champions” and “Run for the Carnations”
Stretch Run –1,097 feet from last turn to finish line
Crowd –can hold 90,000 and has seating for 32,941
Fastest Time –2:24:00 held be Secretariat in 1973 (World Record for 1 ½ mile on dirt)
Biggest Win –31 lengths held by Secretariat in 1973 (World Record for 1 ½ mile)
Last Years Champion –Rags to Riches
Prize Money - $1 Million
The first Belmont Stakes race was held in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx, where Ruthless took home the first ever win. In 1890 the race moved to Morris Park Racecourse, before making its permanent home at Belmont Park in 1905. The race did take a short break for reconstruction as it was held at the Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963-1967.
There are 11 trainers that have at least 3 wins at the Belmont, and none more than the 8 held by James G. Rowe Sr. While Rowe holds the top spot Woody Stephens has some bragging rights of his own as he produced 5 straight wins here from 1982-1986.
There have only been 9 jockeys to win at least 3 times and two guys hold that spot, as both Jim McLaughlin and Eddie Arcarco each have 6 wins.
There have been 9 foreign-born winners at the Belmont Stakes, with the last coming 10 years ago when Victory Gallop out of Canada was the first across the finish line. This year two horses will have a chance at joining this group as Casino Drive comes out of Japan and Tomcito out of Peru.
The race use to be even longer as it was run at 1 5/8 miles up till 1973, before being shortened to its 1 ½ distance it is run at today.
Julie Krone became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she rode Colonial Affair to a win at the Belmont Stakes in 1993.
Trophy
The Belmont Stakes trophy is a Tiffany-made silver bowl measuring 18 inches high, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. A silver figure of Fenian, winner of the Belmont Stakes in 1869, sits atop the cover of the bowl, and the bowl itself is supported by three horses representing the three foundation Thoroughbreds: Eclipse, Herod and Matchem.
Post Race
This is when the trophy is presented and when fans are encouraged to sing along to the theme from New York, New York. This is very similar to the singing of “Old Kentucky home” at the Kentucky Derby and “Maryland, My Maryland” at the Preakness Stakes.
If you are looking to make a bet on this race be sure to check out Bodoglife.com, as it is one of the best places for horse betting on the net. Also be sure to check out our top contenders for the upcoming race, along with each horses odds at the Belmont Stakes. As always feel free to leave any comments in our comment box.
