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
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.
The Triple Crown Trail
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.
Handicapping
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.
2011 Belmont Stakes Results
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.
Belmont History
Traditions








