Belmont Stakes Picks
The Belmont Stakes is a world famous American thoroughbred horse racing event held every year in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, USA.
The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of America's three Triple Crown Races. The first Belmont Stakes race took place June 19 th , 1867. This event was established largely in part because of a man named August Belmont, a well established financier who made quite a name and fortune for himself in New York politics and society. Mr. Belmont was also a fan of horse racing, and his imprint is intertwined within the history of the Kentucky Derby as well.
Ruthless, a filly, won the first ever Belmont Stakes race for a grand prize of $1,850, outlasting DeCourcey by only a head. The race has been run every June since, with the exception of 1911 and 1912, and the Belmont has established itself as the ultimate test of championship stamina in this country. Its 1-1/2-mile distance now has become a rarity in American dirt races.
Today the prize money is 1 Million Dollars, but the fastest horse won't be the only winner as millions of people will bet on their favorites hoping to win big also.
Betting is easy and fun and can be done online if you can't be at the race in person.
The Race Info & Facts:
Location –Belmont Park in Elmont, New York
Date –Saturday June 7th., 2008
Distance –1 ½ mile dirt track
Horses –3 year old thoroughbred colts and geldings
TV & Time –5 PM (EST) on ABC
Race –140th running, first ran in 1867 and is the oldest of the Triple Crown races
Nickname – “Test of the Champions” and “Run for the Carnations”
Stretch Run –1,097 feet from last turn to finish line
Crowd –can hold 90,000 and has seating for 32,941
Fastest Time –2:24:00 held be Secretariat in 1973 (World Record for 1 ½ mile on dirt)
Biggest Win –31 lengths held by Secretariat in 1973 (World Record for 1 ½ mile)
Last Years Champion –Rags to Riches
Prize Money – $1 Million
