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.
2009 Belmont Stakes Results
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
A crowd of 52,861 came out on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon to watch the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. 12-1 long shot Summer Bird closed with a rush on the outside to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Dunkirk with favorite Mine That Bird a neck back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here. 2009 Belmont Stakes Results and Photos Belmont Stakes Undercard Part 1 - Manhattan Handicap & Just a Game Stakes on the turf Belmont Stakes Undercard Part 2 - The Acorn, True North Handicap, and Woody Stephens Stakes on the main track Brooklyn Handicap and Hill Prince Stakes - run on the Friday before the Belmont Friday morning workout photos - includes Summer Bird, Mine That Bird, and Dunkirk
2009 Belmont Stakes Entries
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
A field of 10 was entered for the 2009 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, third and final jewel of the Triple Crown. Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird is the morning line favorite at 2-1 and will break from post 7 with jockey Calvin Borel back aboard. Only 16 horses can start in the Belmont, and as usual this wasn't a problem as not many want to go the 1 1/2 mile distance despite the $1 million purse. Belmont Stakes Entries - Get the entries, post positions, and morning line odds Analyzing the Belmont Contenders - My annual analysis using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends to try and pick a winner. Belmont Stakes past performances - free from DRF Belmont Park Weather Forecasts
The Triple Crown Trail
© 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. 2009 Triple Crown Trail - a schedule of all the prep races with results Early Triple Crown nominations - 401 horses at $600 each. Late Triple Crown Nominations - 11 more horses at $6000 each. Horses not nominated after this have to pay a $100,000 supplement.
Handicapping
© 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.
Analyzing the Belmont Contenders - My annual analysis using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends to try and pick a winner. Belmont Stakes past performances - free from DRF Handicapping the Belmont Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2009 by Jim Mazur
Belmont History
© 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
© 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
© 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
