The first thing about the history of the Belmont Stakes you should know is that the race is held after the Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby, so that makes it the 3rd race in the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing. However, the distance for this race is longer than the other two. Even though the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes usually have a bigger attendance, many people still enjoy going to the Belmont Stakes due to its past and traditions.
That is why we have decided to tell you more about the history of the Belmont Stakes and how you can bet on the event.
Race Information
The race takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, and it is categorised as a Grade I race for Thoroughbred horses which are three years old. The distance of the race is a little more than 2 kilometres (one and a half miles), and the surface is dirt. The winning horse receives 600000$ from the prize money, and the other 400000$ are divided between the other top placed horses.
The event is held at the beginning of June, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes.
History of the Belmont Stakes
The first Belmont Stakes took place in the Jerome Park Racetrack in 1867. August Belmont was the one who sponsored the construction of this track, so that is where the name of the event originates. For more than 20 years the race was held there each year before it was moved to Belmont Park. Since then, the only time when the Belmont Stakes was not held there was in the 1960s when the park was being renovated. Back then, the Aqueduct Racetrack was the home of the event.
The length of the race has also undergone many changes over the years. The distance has been between 13 and 10 furlongs, but since 1926, the event remained 12 furlongs. Secretariat set the fastest time for this distance in 1973. That was the year when the horse won the US Triple Crown. It also holds the record for the largest victory margin – 31 lengths. Another milestone in the history of the Stakes was set in 1993 when a female jockey named Julie Krone won the Triple Crown for the first time in the US.
Other names for this event are the “Run for the Carnations” and the “Test of Champions.” The former is because the winner receives a blanket of white carnations, and the latter is because that is the third race, so if a horse wants to become a Triple Crown winner, it needs to finish first.
Just like the other two Triple Crown races, the crowd sings along during the pre-race ceremony. The song underwent changes over the years, but it is now the theme from New York, New York. There is also a cocktail named after the event – the Belmont Breeze.
How to Bet on the Belmont Stakes
There are various options for those of you that want to gamble on the Belmont Stakes. You can always go to the event itself if you are from New York and bet at the racecourse. If that is not convenient, there is always your local bookmaker who offers odds on the event.
However, the most comfortable way of betting on the Belmont Stakes is by using an online gambling website. Not only do you not have to leave your home to place a bet, but there are also numerous bonuses and promotions which allow you to earn extra cash.
Past Winners
Here are the previous five winners in the history of the Belmont Stakes:
- 2016 – Horse – Creator. Rider – Irad Ortiz, Jr. Trainer – Steven Asmussen.
- 2015 – Horse – American Pharoah. Rider – Victor Espinoza. Trainer – Bob Baffert.
- 2014 – Horse – Tonalist. Rider -Joel Rosario. Trainer – Christophe Clement.
- 2013 – Horse – Palace Malice. Rider – Mike Smith. Trainer – Todd Pletcher.
- 2012 – Horse – Union Rags. Rider – John Velazquez. Trainer – Michael Matz.
Best Online Horse Betting Sites Events
