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Belmont Stakes Central

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The Belmont Stakes is the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown and held every year five weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Belmont Park in New York, New York. Known as "The Test of Champions," it is a grueling 1 1/2 miles with a purse of $1 million guaranteed. It can be a total frenzy if a Triple Crown is on the line, as with Big Brown in 2008, otherwise it can be very laid back, especially if the Derby winner doesn't come. Like the Derby, only 3-year-old thoroughbreds can run in the Belmont, so each only has one chance at it in his lifetime. This year the Belmo Stakes will be on June 9.

2012 Belmont Stakes Contenders

The field breaks from the gate for the 2007 Belmont Stakes© Cindy Pierson Dulay

With Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another going for the Triple Crown in the Belmont, it should be an exciting race. A few from the Derby are back along with some fresh horses to go against him over the 1 1/2 mile distance for the $1 million purse this year.

 

  • Belmont Stakes Contenders - includes profiles for the horses
  • Belmont Stakes past performances - free from DRF
  • Belmont Park Weather Forecasts

    • The Triple Crown Trail

    Rags to Riches wins the 2007 Belmont Stakes© Terence Dulay

    Every spring the 3-year-old thoroughbreds start their campaigns hoping to make it to one of the Triple Crown races. Racing fans watch and wonder which prep race will yield the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont winner as the horses compete on the Triple Crown trail at race tracks from coast-to-coast. Just remember, the Belmont winner is often a horse who skipped both of the Derby and Preakness like Rags to Riches in 2007 and Da'Tara in 2008.

     

  • 2011 Triple Crown Trail - a schedule of all the prep races with results

    • Handicapping

    Fans at Belmont Park line up at the windows to place their bets© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    The Belmont can be put under a microscope if there is a Triple Crown on the line, or it can be ignored if there isn't even the Derby winner running in it. There really isn't much help for this race other than suggesting you handicap it like you would any other race. Just remember that the favorite wins the Belmont 44% of the time and stalkers or even front runners win it more often than deep closers. Even so, there are still some huge upsets like Da'Tara in 2008.

  • Free past performances - from DRF
  • Handicapping the Belmont
  • Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2012 by Jim Mazur

    • 2011 Belmont Stakes Results

    Summer Bird wins the 2009 Belmont Stakes© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    A crowd of 55,779 on a dark overcast Saturday afternoon with intermittent rainshowers to watch the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Ruler on Ice held off Stay Thirsty the length of the stretch to win by 3/4 length in a time of 2:30.88. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Brilliant Speed third, while favorite Animal Kingdom put in a mild rally late to get 6th beaten 9 1/4 lengths. Get the results, chart, and photos here.

     

  • 2012 Belmont Stakes Results and Photos
  • Belmont Stakes Undercard - Manhattan Handicap, Just a Game Stakes, The Acorn, True North Handicap, and Woody Stephens Stakes results
  • Brooklyn Handicap and Poker Stakes - run on the Friday before the Belmont

    • Belmont History

    The Belmont Stakes trophy© Cindy Pierson Dulay
    The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867 and is the oldest of the Triple Crown events, predating the Kentucky Derby by 8 years and the Preakness by 6. Known as "The Test of Champions," the Belmont is the final race of the Triple Crown series and the longest of them at 1 1/2 miles. Find out more about the rich history of the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

  • Past Belmont Winners
  • Fillies in the Belmont Stakes
  • Past Belmont articles and photos (1998 - 2008)
  • Belmont Stakes History

    • Traditions

    The Belmont Stakes winner in his blanket of white carnations© Terence Dulay
    The Belmont is more laid back and easily the most casual of the Triple Crown races. Since it is run in early June, often the weather is too hot for dressy attire and you see a lot of shorts and t-shirts other than in the clubhouse and turf club. The traditional flower of the Belmont is the white carnation and the permanent trophy is a very impressive Tiffany silver bowl from 1869. Here is a look at some of the more well known Belmont Stakes traditions.

  • History and overview
  • Carnations for the Winner
  • The Trophy
  • Theme Song - "New York, New York"
  • The Official Drink - the Belmont Breeze
  • Other Traditions

    • Belmont Stakes Basics

    Racing at Belmont Park© Cindy Pierson Dulay
    An overview of the Belmont Stakes from history to handicapping to how to attend. Perfect for beginners who want to start their education in all things Preakness.

  • Belmont Stakes official site
  • Belmont Stakes 101
  • New York Weather Forecasts
  • Belmont Stakes Security - be sure to look about halfway down to see what you can and can't bring to the track
  • Belmont Links

    • Readers Respond: Who is your top Belmont Stakes pick?

    Elsewhere on the Web

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