Belmont Stakes

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For current information on this topic, see
2008 Belmont Stakes
Grade 1 race
Belmont Stakes
Location Belmont Park
Elmont, New York Flag of the United States
Inaugurated 1867
Race type Thoroughbred
Website NYRA.com
Race information
Distance 1½ miles
Track Dirt, Left-handed
Qualification 3-year-old
Weight Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg)
Filly: 121 lbs. (54.9 kg)
Purse US$1 million

The Belmont Stakes is a prestigious American Grade I stakes race held yearly in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race is the third leg of the Triple Crown, following five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. It is a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and geldings carrying a weight of 126 pounds (57 kg) and for fillies with a weight of 121 pounds (55 kg).

The Belmont Stakes is called the "Run for the Carnations" because of the blanket of white carnations that is draped over the winner's neck. Through 1996, the post parade song was "Sidewalks of New York." Beginning in 1997, the audience was invited to sing the Theme from New York, New York following the call to the post. This tradition mirrors the singing of two other songs at the post parades of the first two Triple Crown races, My Old Kentucky Home at the Kentucky Derby and Maryland, My Maryland at the Preakness Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes is held on the first Saturday that falls on or after June 5. The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday in May; the Preakness Stakes is held two weeks later; and the Belmont Stakes is held three weeks after the Preakness. The earliest possible date for the Derby is May 1, thus the earliest possible date for the Belmont is June 5.

The first Belmont Stakes was held at Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, built in 1866 by stock market speculator Leonard Jerome (1817–1891) and financed by August Belmont, Sr. (1816–1890) for whom the race was named. The race continued to be held at Jerome Park until 1890 when it was moved to the nearby facility, Morris Park Racecourse. The race remained there until the May 1905 opening of the new Belmont Park, 430 acre (1.7 km²) racetrack in Elmont, New York.

Anti-betting legislation was passed in New York State, closing Belmont and canceling the race for two years between 1911 and 1912.

The first post parade in the United States was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880. Before 1921, the race was run in the clockwise tradition of English racing. Since then, the race has been run in the American or counter-clockwise direction.

Since 1926, a silver bowl, made by Louis Comfort Tiffany and donated by the Belmont family, has been given to the winning owner. Atop the bowl's cover is a silver figure of Fenian, winner of the third running of the Belmont Stakes in 1869. The bowl is supported by three horses - Herod, Eclipse and Matchem, representing the three foundation sires of the thoroughbred world, the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb.

Because of its length (one lap around the enormous Belmont main track), and because it is the final race of the Triple Crown, it is called the "Test of the Champion". Most three-year-olds are unaccustomed to the distance, and lack the experience, if not the stamina, to maintain a winning speed for so long. In a long race such as the Belmont, positioning of the horse and the timing of the move to chase for the lead can be critical.

Due to the reconstruction of Belmont from 1963–1967, the race was held at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Contents

[edit] Changes in distance

Run at a mile and five furlongs from 1867 to 1873; a mile and a quarter in 1890, 1891, 1892, 1895, 1904 and 1905; a mile and a furlong in 1893 and 1894; a mile and three furlongs from 1896 to 1903 and from 1906 to 1925. The current distance of a mile and half was established in 1926.

[edit] Trainers with most wins

[edit] Jockeys with most wins

[edit] Foreign-born winners

[edit] Other records

Only James G. Rowe, Sr. and George M. Odom have won the Belmont Stakes as both jockey and trainer.

On June 5, 1993 thoroughbred racing's all-time leading female jockey, Julie Krone, became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race when she rode to victory in the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair.

In 1984, Sarah Lundy became the first female trainer to saddle a horse in the Belmont Stakes.

Secretariat's 1973 Belmont victory set a world record (2:24 flat) not only for the race, but for the mile and a half (2.4 km) on dirt, that still stands as of the 2007 race. At 31 lengths, his margin of victory is not only the race record, but the largest in the history of American Grade 1 stakes races.

[edit] Broadcasting history

From 1986 until 2005, the Triple Crown television rights comprised a single package. In late 2004, the New York Racing Association withdrew from that agreement to negotiate independently.[1]

[edit] Winners of the Belmont Stakes Classic

Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Time
2008 Da' Tara Alan Garcia Nick Zito WinStar Farms 2:29.65
2007 Rags to Riches John Velazquez Todd Pletcher M. Tabor & D. Smith 2:28.74
2006 Jazil Fernando Jara Kiaran McLaughlin Shadwell Farm 2:27.81
2005 Afleet Alex Jeremy Rose Tim Ritchey Cash is King LLC 2:28.75
2004 Birdstone Edgar Prado Nick Zito Marylou Whitney Stables 2:27.50
2003 Empire Maker Jerry Bailey Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms 2:28.26
2002 Sarava Edgar Prado Kenneth McPeek New Phoenix Stable 2:29.71
2001 Point Given Gary Stevens Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corp. 2:26.80
2000 Commendable Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 2:31.20
1999 Lemon Drop Kid Jose Santos Scotty Schulhofer Jeanne G. Vance 2:27.80
1998 Victory Gallop Gary Stevens Elliott Walden Prestonwood Farm 2:29.00
1997 Touch Gold Chris McCarron David Hofmans Frank Stronach 2:28.80
1996 Editor's Note Rene R. Douglas D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 2:28.80
1995 Thunder Gulch Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas† Michael Tabor 2:32.00
1994 Tabasco Cat Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas D. P. Reynolds & Overbrook 2:26.80
1993 Colonial Affair Julie Krone Scotty Schulhofer Centennial Farms 2:29.80
1992 A.P. Indy Ed Delahoussaye Neil Drysdale Tomonori Tsurumaki 2:26.00
1991 Hansel Jerry Bailey Frank Brothers Lazy Lane Farm 2:28.00
1990 Go And Go Michael Kinane Dermot K. Weld Moyglare Stud Farm 2:27.20
1989 Easy Goer Pat Day C. R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 2:26.00
1988 Risen Star Ed Delahoussaye Louie Roussel III Louie Roussel III 2:26.40
1987 Bet Twice Craig Perret Jimmy Croll Blanche P. Levy 2:28.20
1986 Danzig Connection Chris McCarron Woody Stephens Henryk de Kwiatkowski 2:29.80
1985 Creme Fraiche Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Brushwood Stables 2:27.00
1984 Swale Laffit Pincay, Jr. Woody Stephens Claiborne Farm 2:27.20
1983 Caveat Laffit Pincay, Jr. Woody Stephens August Belmont IV 2:27.80
1982 Conquistador Cielo Laffit Pincay, Jr. Woody Stephens Henryk de Kwiatkowski 2:28.20
1981 Summing George Martens Luis Barrera Charles T. Wilson, Jr. 2:29.00
1980 Temperence Hill Eddie Maple Joseph B. Cantey Loblolly Stable 2:29.80
1979 Coastal Ruben Hernandez David A. Whiteley William Haggin Perry 2:28.60
1978 Affirmed † Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 2:26.80
1977 Seattle Slew † Jean Cruguet William H. Turner, Jr. Karen L. Taylor 2:29.60
1976 Bold Forbes Angel Cordero, Jr. Laz Barrera E. Rodriguez Tizol 2:29.00
1975 Avatar Bill Shoemaker A. Tommy Doyle Arthur A. Seeligson, Jr. 2:28.20
1974 Little Current Miguel A. Rivera Lou Rondinello Darby Dan Farm 2:29.20
1973 Secretariat † Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable 2:24.00
1972 Riva Ridge Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stud 2:28.00
1971 Pass Catcher Walter Blum Eddie Yowell October House Farm 2:30.40
1970 High Echelon John Rotz John Jacobs Ethel D. Jacobs 2:34.00
1969 Arts and Letters Braulio Baeza J. Elliott Burch Rokeby Stables 2:28.80
1968 Stage Door Johnny Heliodoro Gustines John M. Gaver, Sr. Greentree Stable 2:27.20
1967 Damascus Bill Shoemaker Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. Edith W. Bancroft 2:28.80
1966 Amberoid William Boland Lucien Laurin Reginald N. Webster 2:29.60
1965 Hail To All Johnny Sellers Eddie Yowell Zelda Cohen 2:28.40
1964 Quadrangle Manuel Ycaza J. Elliott Burch Rokeby Stables 2:28.40
1963 Chateaugay Braulio Baeza James P. Conway Darby Dan Farm 2:30.20
1962 Jaipur Bill Shoemaker Bert Mulholland George D. Widener, Jr. 2:28.80
1961 Sherluck Braulio Baeza Harold Young Jacob Sher 2:29.20
1960 Celtic Ash Bill Hartack Thomas J. Barry Green Dunes Farm 2:29.20
1959 Sword Dancer Bill Shoemaker J. Elliott Burch Brookmeade Stable 2:28.40
1958 Cavan Pete D. Anderson Tom Barry Joseph E. O'Connell 2:30.20
1957 Gallant Man Bill Shoemaker John A. Nerud Ralph Lowe 2:26.60
1956 Needles David Erb Hugh L. Fontaine D & H Stable 2:29.80
1955 Nashua Eddie Arcaro Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:29.00
1954 High Gun Eric Guerin Max Hirsch King Ranch 2:30.80
1953 Native Dancer Eric Guerin Bill Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt II 2:28.60
1952 One Count Eddie Arcaro Oscar White Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords 2:30.20
1951 Counterpoint David Gorman Sylvester Veitch C. V. Whitney 2:29.00
1950 Middleground William Boland Max Hirsch King Ranch 2:28.60
1949 Capot Ted Atkinson John M. Gaver, Sr. Greentree Stable 2:30.20
1948 Citation † Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 2:28.20
1947 Phalanx Ruperto Donoso Sylvester Veitch C. V. Whitney 2:29.40
1946 Assault † Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch King Ranch 2:30.80
1945 Pavot Eddie Arcaro Oscar White Walter M. Jeffords 2:30.20
1944 Bounding Home G.L. Smith Matt Brady William Ziegler, Jr. 2:32.20
1943 Count Fleet † Johnny Longden G. Donald Cameron Fannie Hertz 2:28.20
1942 Shut Out Eddie Arcaro John M. Gaver, Sr. Greentree Stable 2:29.20
1941 Whirlaway † Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 2:31.00
1940 Bimelech Fred A. Smith Bill Hurley Edward R. Bradley 2:29.60
1939 Johnstown James Stout Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:29.60
1938 Pasteurized James Stout George M. Odom Mrs. Plunkett Stewart 2:29.40
1937 War Admiral † Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Glen Riddle Farm 2:28.60
1936 Granville James Stout Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:30.00
1935 Omaha † Willie Saunders Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:30.60
1934 Peace Chance Wayne D. Wright Pete Coyne Joseph E. Widener 2:29.20
1933 Hurryoff Mack Garner Henry McDaniel Joseph E. Widener 2:32.60
1932 Faireno Tom Malley Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:32.80
1931 Twenty Grand Charley Kurtsinger James G. Rowe, Jr. Greentree Stable 2:29.60
1930 Gallant Fox † Earl Sande Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 2:31.60
1929 Blue Larkspur Mack Garner Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 2:32.80
1928 Vito Clarence Kummer Max Hirsch Alfred H. Cosden 2:33.20
1927 Chance Shot Earl Sande Pete Coyne Joseph E. Widener 2:32.40
1926 Crusader Albert Johnson George Conway Glen Riddle Farm 2:32.20
1925 American Flag Albert Johnson G.R. Tompkins Glen Riddle Farm 2:16.80
1924 Mad Play Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Rancocas Stable 2:18.80
1923 Zev Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Rancocas Stable 2:19.00
1922 Pillory C. H. Miller Thomas J. Healey Richard T. Wilson, Jr. 2:18.80
1921 Grey Lag Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Rancocas Stable 2:16.80
1920 Man o' War Clarence Kummer Louis Feustel Glen Riddle Farm 2:14.20
1919 Sir Barton † Johnny Loftus H. Guy Bedwell J. K. L. Ross 2:17.40
1918 Johren Frank Robinson Albert Simons Harry P. Whitney 2:20.40
1917 Hourless James H. Butwell Sam Hildreth August Belmont, Jr. 2:17.80
1916 Friar Rock E. Haynes Sam Hildreth August Belmont, Jr. 2:22.00
1915 The Finn George Byrne E. W. Heffner H. C. Hallenbeck 2:18.40
1914 Luke Mcluke Merritt Buxton J. F. Schorr John W. Schorr 2:20.00
1913 Prince Eugene Roscoe Troxler James G. Rowe, Sr. Harry P. Whitney 2:18.00
1910 Sweep James H. Butwell James G. Rowe, Sr. James R. Keene 2:22.00
1909 Joe Madden Eddie Dugan Sam Hildreth Sam Hildreth 2:21.60
1908 Colin Joe Notter James G. Rowe, Sr. James R. Keene N/A
1907 Peter Pan G. Mountain James G. Rowe, Sr. James R. Keene N/A
1906 Burgomaster Lucien Lyne John W. Rogers Harry P. Whitney 2:20.00
1905 Tanya Gene Hildebrand John W. Rogers Harry P. Whitney 2:08.00
1904 Delhi George M. Odom James G. Rowe, Sr. James R. Keene 2:06.60
1903 Africander John Bullman R. O. Miller Hampton Stable 2:21.75
1902 Masterman John Bullman John J. Hyland August Belmont, Jr. 2:22.60
1901 Commando H. Spencer James G. Rowe, Sr. James R. Keene 2:21.00
1900 Ildrim Nash Turner H. Eugene Leigh H. Eugene Leigh 2:21.25
1899 Jean Bereaud R. Clawson Sam Hildreth Sydney Paget 2:23.00
1898 Bowling Brook Fred Littlefield R. Wyndham Walden A. H. & D. H. Morris 2:32.00
1897 Scottish Chieftain J. Scherrer Matt Byrnes Marcus Daly 2:23.25
1896 Hastings Henry Griffin John J. Hyland Blemton Stable 2:24.50
1895 Belmar Fred Taral Edward Feakes Preakness Stables 2:11.50
1894 Henry of Navarre Willie Simms Byron McClelland Byron McClelland 1:56.50
1893 Commanche Willie Simms Gus Hannon Empire Stable 1:53.25
1892 Patron William Hayward Lewis Stuart J. Stuart 2:12.00
1891 Foxford Edward R. Garrison M. Donavan C. E. Rand 2:08.75
1890 Burlington Pike Barnes Albert Cooper Hough Bros. 2:07.75
1889 Eric William Hayward John Huggins A. J. Cassatt 2:47.25
1888 Sir Dixon Jim McLaughlin Frank McCabe Dwyer Bros. Stable 2:40.25
1887 Hanover Jim McLaughlin Frank McCabe Dwyer Bros. Stable 2:43.50
1886 Inspector B Jim McLaughlin Frank McCabe Dwyer Bros. Stable 2:41.00
1885 Tyrant Paul Duffy C. Claypool James B. A. Haggin 2:43.00
1884 Panique Jim McLaughlin James G. Rowe, Sr. Dwyer Bros. Stable 2:42.00
1883 George Kinney Jim McLaughlin James G. Rowe, Sr. Dwyer Bros. Stable 2:42.50
1882 Forester Jim McLaughlin Lewis Stuart Appleby & Johnson 2:43.00
1881 Saunterer T. Costello R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 2:47.00
1880 Grenada W. Hughes R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 2:47.00
1879 Spendthrift George Evans Thomas Puryear James R. Keene 2:42.75
1878 Duke of Magenta W. Hughes R. Wyndham Walden George L. Lorillard 2:43.50
1877 Cloverbrook C. Holloway Jeter Walden E. A. Clabaugh 2:46.00
1876 Algerine Billy Donohue Major T. W. Doswell Doswell & Co. 2:40.50
1875 Calvin Bobby Swim Ansel Williamson Hal P. McGrath 2:42.25
1874 Saxon George Barbee W. Prior Pierre Lorillard IV 2:39.50
1873 Springbok James G. Rowe, Sr. David McDaniel David McDaniel 3:01.75
1872 Joe Daniels James G. Rowe, Sr. David McDaniel David McDaniel 2:58.25
1871 Harry Bassett Walter Miller David McDaniel David McDaniel 2:56.00
1870 Kingfisher Edward D. Brown Rollie Colston Daniel Swigert 2:59.50
1869 Fenian C. Miller Jacob Pincus August Belmont 3:04.25
1868 General Duke Bobby Swim A. Thompson McConnell & Co. 3:02.00
1867 Ruthless Gilbert Patrick A. J. Minor Francis Morris 3:05.00

A † designates a Triple Crown Winner.

Note: D. Wayne Lukas swept the 1995 Triple Crown with two different horses.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b John Scheinman, "ABC Will Broadcast Belmont Stakes Starting in 2006," The Washington Post, Tuesday, October 5, 2004.

[edit] External links


The Triple Crown of Horse Racing
United States, Thoroughbred Horses: Kentucky Derby | Preakness Stakes | Belmont Stakes
United States, Harness Racing Pacers: Cane Pace | Messenger Stakes | Little Brown Jug
United States, Harness Racing Trotters: Hambletonian | Yonkers Trot | Kentucky Futurity
United Kingdom: 2,000 Guineas Stakes | Derby Stakes (also known as Epsom Derby) | St. Leger Stakes
Canada, Thoroughbred Horses: Queen's Plate | Prince of Wales Stakes | Breeders' Stakes
See Also: Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing | Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers | Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters | American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing | Canadian Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing *
*Series is still under review for races. See page for details on race proposals.