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MonJun 10

Belmont Stakes – June 10, 2024

The Belmont Stakes is a Grade 1 stakes event held on June 10 at Belmont Park in New York. The Belmont Stakes is the oldest and longest of the three classic horse races that make up the Triple Crown of American horse racing, together with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Throughout its history, it has been run on a variety of distances and tracks. The horse race is the Triple Crown’s traditional third and final component. The Belmont Stakes is normally held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes.

History of Belmont Stakes

The first Belmont Stakes was staged in the Bronx’s Jerome Park Racetrack, which was built in 1866 by stock market speculator Leonard Jerome and sponsored by August Belmont Senior, the race’s namesake. The filly Ruthless won the first race in 1867 and General Duke won the following year. The event was held at Jerome Park until 1890 when it was relocated to Morris Park Racetrack. Because of new rules prohibiting bookmaking in New York, the 1895 race was almost canceled; it was subsequently postponed to November 2.

The event was held at Morris Park Racecourse until the new Belmont Park racetrack in Elmont, New York, opened in May 1905. When Gallant Fox won the three races in 1930, the phrase “Triple Crown” was coined but it was not widely used until 1935 when his son, Omaha, duplicated the accomplishment. Sir Barton was then posthumously recognized as the first Triple Crown winner, in 1919, before the series was officially acknowledged. The great Man o’ War won the Belmont in 1920 by 20 lengths, setting new stakes and an American record while under a strong pull.

Since 1931, the Kentucky Derby has been the first race in the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and finally the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes has been raced eleven times before the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby currently determines the dates for each event. The Belmont Stakes is one of the most well-attended races in American horse racing.

Belmont Stakes timeline

1867
The First Belmont Stakes

The first Belmont Stakes takes place at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx.

1926
The August Belmont Trophy

The trophy is handed to the winner of the Belmont Stakes for the first time.

1968
The 100th Anniversary

The Belmont Stakes celebrates 100 years of horse racing.

1971
The Greatest Attendance

Almost 80,000 people attend the Belmont Stakes to cheer on Canonero II.

2022
The 154th Anniversary

This year marks the 154th year of horse racing at the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont Stakes FAQs

Who is the best jockey of all time?

Russell Baze is regarded as the best jockey of all time.

Which horse owns the Belmont Stakes record?

The only racehorse to win the Triple Crown is Secretariat.

How quickly can Secretariat run?

Secretariat’s Triple Crown average speed was 37.7 mph.

Belmont Stakes Activities

  1. Purchase your tickets

    Get your tickets to the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of thoroughbred racing's prestigious Triple Crown. If you reside outside of New York, there are Belmont Stakes travel packages that you may combine with your favorite tickets and lodgings in Manhattan for a customized Belmont experience.

  2. Share via your socials

    You don't have to be in New York to join in the celebration. You can watch videos online or share pictures from the race track and upload it to social media. Be sure to add the hashtag #Belmontstakes.

  3. Read about the history

    Join in the celebration by reading up on the origin of the Belmont Stakes. Educate yourself on its history, bidding, horse racing, and race track etiquette.

5 Fascinating Facts About The Belmont Stakes

  1. Jockeys tie for six wins

    Eddie Arcaro and Jim McLaughlin tied with six Belmont wins each for jockeys.

  2. The first female jockey

    Julie Krone made history as the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race at Belmont Park in 1993.

  3. The fastest horse

    Secretariat is the horse with the fastest splits in Belmont Stakes history.

  4. The most-watched Belmont Stakes

    The 2004 Belmont Stakes attracted 21.9 million television viewers, the highest household-watching rate since 1977.

  5. The ‘Championship Track’

    Practically every major American champion in racing history has competed on the racetrack of Belmont Park, known as the ‘Championship Track.’

Why We Love Belmont Stakes

  1. It is a social event

    Attending a horseracing event is a terrific opportunity to meet new people. People like to dress up on important racing days, which can make the occasion even more enjoyable. Even those who are unfamiliar with the sport can enjoy themselves because these activities are frequently family-friendly, allowing individuals of all ages to participate.

  2. It's full of excitement

    The thrill of being on the grounds of a race track is incredible. You won't have to wait long because there are usually several races running concurrently, so results are available quickly. The sense of adrenaline is terrific, particularly as the horses speed down the last stretch.

  3. Horse races are reasonably priced

    Horse racing tickets are extremely inexpensive when compared to other high-end sporting events. This means that practically everyone can afford to attend a live race and watch world-famous horses and jockeys up close and personal.

Belmont Stakes dates

YearDateDay
2024June 10Monday
2025June 10Tuesday
2026June 10Wednesday
2027June 10Thursday
2028June 10Saturday

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