Belmont Stakes Explained

Class:Grade I
Horse Race:Belmont Stakes
Location:Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, U.S.
Race Type:Thoroughbred
Distance:NaNmiles
Record:2:24, Secretariat (1973) more
Surface:Dirt
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:3-year-old
Weight:Colt/Gelding: ; Filly:
Purse:US$ 2 million (2024)

The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is run over the worldwide classic distance of NaN0NaN0. Colts and geldings carry a weight of ; fillies carry . The race, nicknamed The Test of the Champion,[1] The Test of Champions[2] and The Run for the Carnations, is the traditional third and final leg of the Triple Crown. It is usually held on the first or second Saturday in June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The 1973 Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown winner Secretariat holds the track record (which is also a world record on dirt) of 2:24.

The race covers one full lap of Belmont Park, known as "The Championship Track" because nearly every major American champion in racing history has competed on the racetrack. Belmont Park, with its large, wide, sweeping turns and long homestretch, is considered one of the fairest racetracks in America.[3] Despite the distance, the race tends to favor horses with tactical speed: relatively few winners close from far behind the early leaders.[4]

The attendance at the Belmont Stakes is among the American thoroughbred racing top-attended events. The 2004 Belmont Stakes drew a television audience of 21.9 million viewers, and had the highest household viewing rate since 1977 when Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown.[5]

Justify won the 150th Belmont Stakes in 2018 to become the 13th Triple Crown champion.

History

1867–1929: early years

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 first race in 1867 saw the filly Ruthless win, while the following year was won by General Duke. The first post parade in the United States was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880. The race continued to be held at Jerome Park until 1890, when it was moved to the nearby facility, Morris Park Racecourse.[6] The 1895 race was almost not held because of new laws that banned bookmaking in New York: it was eventually rescheduled for November 2.[7] The race remained at Morris Park Racecourse until the May 1905 opening of the new Belmont Park, 430acres racetrack in Elmont, New York, on Long Island, just outside the New York City borough of Queens. When anti-gambling legislation was passed in New York State, Belmont Racetrack was closed, and the race was cancelled in 1911 and 1912.[8]

The first winner of the Triple Crown was Sir Barton, in 1919, before the series was recognized as such.[9] In 1920, the Belmont was won by the great Man o' War, who won by 20 lengths, setting a new stakes and American record, while under a stout pull.[10]

Starting in 1926, the winner of the Belmont Stakes has been presented with August Belmont Trophy. The owner may keep the trophy for one year, and also receives a silver miniature for permanent use.

1930–2000: evolution of the Triple Crown series

See main article: Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States).

The term Triple Crown was first used when Gallant Fox won the three races in 1930, but the term did not enter widespread use until 1935 when his son Omaha repeated the feat. Sir Barton was then honored retroactively.[11] Since 1931, the order of Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Prior to 1931, the Preakness was run before the Derby eleven times. On May 12, 1917, and again on May 13, 1922, the Preakness and the Derby were run on the same day. On eleven occasions, the Belmont Stakes was run before the Preakness Stakes.[12] The date of each event is now set by the Kentucky Derby, which is always held on the first Saturday in May. The Preakness Stakes is currently held two weeks later; and the Belmont Stakes is held three weeks after the Preakness (five weeks after the Derby). The earliest possible date for the Derby is May 1, and the latest is May 7; the earliest possible date for the Belmont is thus June 5, and the latest is June 11.[13] In 2020, due to the cancellation of the original dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the order changed with the Belmont first on June 20, the Kentucky Derby on September 5 and the Preakness on October 3—all with no spectators—before the Triple Crown races resumed their normal schedule in 2021.

In 1937, War Admiral became the fourth Triple Crown winner after winning the Belmont in a new track record time of 2:28 3/5.[14] In the 1940s, four Triple Crown winners followed: Whirlaway in 1941, Count Fleet in 1943, Assault in 1946 and Citation in 1948. Count Fleet won the race by a then-record margin of twenty-five lengths.[15] He also set a stakes record of 2:28 1/5, a record tied by Citation. In 1957, the stakes record was smashed when Gallant Man ran the Belmont in 2:26 3/5 in a year when the Triple Crown series was split three ways.[16]

The Belmont Stakes race was held at Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963 to 1967, while the track at Belmont was restored and renovated.

The largest crowd of the 20th century was in 1971 with over 80,000 people, supplemented by the city's Latino community, there to cheer on their new hero, Cañonero II, the Venezuelan colt who had won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and was poised to win the U.S. Triple Crown. However, due to a foot infection that had bothered the horse for several days, Cañonero II failed to win the Triple Crown when he struggled across the finish line in 4th place behind Pass Catcher, ridden by Walter Blum. Despite this loss, Cañonero II was named the winner of the first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Three-Year-Old Male Horse.[17]

On June 9, 1973, Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by thirty-one lengths in a record time of 2:24, becoming a Triple Crown champion, ending a 25-year gap between Citation, the Belmont and Triple Crown winner in 1948. Secretariat's record still stands as the fastest running of the Belmont Stakes and an American record for miles on the dirt.[18] In 1977, Seattle Slew became the first horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. Affirmed was the last winner of the Triple Crown in the 20th century, taking the Belmont Stakes in 2:26 4/5 on June 10, 1978. Ridden by eighteen-year-old Steve Cauthen, Affirmed defeated rival Alydar with Jorge Velásquez in the saddle. At the time the race was the third-slowest start and the third-fastest finish with the quarter in 25, the half in 50, 3/4 in 1:14, the mile in 1:37 2/5.[19]

In 1988, Secretariat's son Risen Star won the Belmont in 2:26 2/5, then the second-fastest time in the history of the race. The next year, Easy Goer lowered the mark for second-fastest time to 2:26. Easy Goer also holds a Beyer Speed Figure of 122 for the race, the best of any Triple Crown race since these ratings were first published in 1987.[20]

2001–present: recent years

For three years in a row, horses came to the Belmont Stakes with a Triple Crown on the line only to fail. In 2002, Belmont Park hosted what was then the largest crowd in its history when 103,222 saw War Emblem lose to longshot Sarava after stumbling at the start. In 2003, 101,864 watched Funny Cide finish third behind Empire Maker. In 2004, the attendance record was shattered when 120,139 people saw Smarty Jones upset by Birdstone.[21]

In 2007, Rags to Riches became the first filly to win the race since Tanya in 1905. Three more failed Triple Crown bids followed: in 2008, Big Brown lost to Da' Tara; in 2012, I'll Have Another was withdrawn due to injury; and in 2014, California Chrome was beaten by Tonalist. This fueled debate about whether the series needed to be changed, for example by lengthening the period between races.[22]

American Pharoah won the 2015 race, becoming the 12th horse in history to win the Triple Crown and the first in 37 years. The crowd that year was limited for the first time, to 90,000.[23] His time of 2:26.65 was the sixth-fastest in Belmont Stakes history, and the second-fastest time for a Triple Crown winner.[24] In 2018, Justify became the 13th Triple Crown winner and only the second horse to do so while undefeated.[25]

The 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes took place without in-person fans on June 20, 2020,[26] delayed from June 6 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading to the announcement, NYRA considered various dates after evaluating the spring-summer meeting at Belmont Park and after the other three majors set their respective dates: the Kentucky Derby moving to September 5, the Preakness Stakes moving to October 3, and the Breeders' Cup Classic slated for November 7. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York announced on May 16 that horse racing tracks statewide, including Belmont Park, would be permitted to resume races without in-person fans on June 1.[27] The 2020 contest also marked the first time in history that the Belmont Stakes served as the Triple Crown's opening leg, with its running length shortened accordingly to NaNmiles,[28] its shortest distance since 1894.[29]

The 154th running of the Belmont Stakes was held on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Mo Donegal won with a time of 2:28.28. Principal owner was Jerry Crawford. Mo Donegal was trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Temporary move to Saratoga

On December 6, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the 2024 Belmont Stakes would be held on Saturday, June 8 at Saratoga Race Course because of ongoing construction and renovations at Belmont Park.[30] The purse of the race will be increased to US$2 million and, pending approval of the American Graded Stakes Committee, it will be run at a shorter distance of instead of the usual due to the smaller size of the Saratoga dirt track.[30] [31]

In March 2024 the New York Racing Association announced that the 2025 Belmont Stakes would also be moved to Saratoga, pending regulatory approval.[32]

Locations

Over the years the race has been held at the following racetracks:

Distance and race details

The Belmont Stakes has been run at a mile and a half from 1874 to 1889 and 1926 to the present. An exception was made in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the national racing schedule underwent significant changes. Additionally, the distance of the Belmont Stakes has been changed during the race's temporary relocation to Saratoga in 2024 and 2025, pending regulatory approvals.[30]

Besides miles, the Belmont has been run at the following distances: a mile and five furlongs in 1867–1873; a mile and a quarter in 1890–1892, 1895, 1904–1905, and 2024; a mile and a furlong in 1893–1894 and again in 2020; and a mile and three furlongs from 1896 to 1903 and 1906–1925.

The purse for the first running in 1867 was $1,500 added,[33] meaning the purse was supplemented by nomination and entry fees. This made the total purse $2,500, with the winner receiving $1,850. The purse increased sharply in the Roaring Twenties, from Man O'War's earnings of $7,950 in 1920 to Gallant Fox's take of $66,040 in 1930. Purses declined as a result of the Great Depression, with War Admiral earning only $28,020 in 1937, then began to recover. Throughout the sixties and early seventies, the value to the winner was roughly $100,000, depending on the added money generated by entry fees (larger fields thus leading to higher prize money). The purse was repeatedly raised in the eighties and nineties, reaching $500,000 added, with the winner receiving roughly $400,000.[34] In 1998, the purse was changed to $1,000,000 guaranteed, with the winner receiving $600,000. In 2014, the purse was raised to $1,500,000.[35]

With one exception, the race has been run at a level weight of 126 pounds (with a 5-pound allowance for fillies) since 1900. The 126 pounds comes from the English Classics, where the standard weight is 9 stone, with one stone equaling 14 pounds. In 1913, the Belmont was run as a handicap with the winner carrying only 109 pounds compared to the runner-up carrying 126 pounds. Races run prior to 1900 had varied weight conditions.

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.

Traditions

The Belmont Stakes is traditionally called "The Test of the Champion" because it is by far the longest of the Triple Crown races (1.5 miles–a full lap around the enormous Belmont main track). It is also one of the longest first-class races on dirt in the United States. 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.

It is also known as "The Run for the Carnations" because the winning horse is draped with a blanket of white carnations after the race, in similar fashion to the blanket of roses and black-eyed Susans for the Derby and Preakness, respectively.

Trophy

The winning owner is ceremonially presented with the silver winner's trophy, designed by Paulding Farnham for Tiffany and Co. It was first presented to August Belmont Jr. in 1896 and donated by the Belmont family for annual presentation in 1926.

Official song

Despite the fact that the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown races, its traditions have been more subject to change. Until 1996, the post parade song was "The Sidewalks of New York". From 1997 to 2009, the song was changed to a recording by Frank Sinatra of the "Theme from New York, New York" in an attempt to appeal to younger fans.[36] In 2010, the song was changed to Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" sung by Jasmine V[37] before reverting to "Theme from New York, New York" from 2011[38] through the present. This tradition is similar to the singing of the state song 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 change of song gave rise to "the myth of Mamie O'Rourke", a reference to a character in the lyrics of "The Sidewalks of New York." Before American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015, some claimed that changing the official Belmont song "cursed" the Triple Crown and was why no horse had won since Affirmed in 1978. Others note that there was no Triple Crown winner between 1979 and 1996, even though "Sidewalks" was still played.[39]

Official drink

Along with the change of song in 1997, the official drink was also changed, from the "White Carnation" to the "Belmont Breeze."[40] The New York Times reviewed both cocktails unfavorably, calling the Belmont Breeze "a significant improvement over the nigh undrinkable White Carnation" despite the fact that it "tastes like a refined trashcan punch".[41] In 2011, the Belmont Breeze was again changed to the current official drink known as the "Belmont Jewel."

While the origin of the white carnation as the official flower of the Belmont Stakes is unknown, traditionally, pure white carnations stand for love and luck. It takes approximately 700 "select" carnations imported from Colombia to create the 40-pound blanket draped over the winner of the Belmont Stakes. The NYRA has long used The Pennock Company, a wholesale florist based in Philadelphia to import the carnations used for the mantle.[42]

Records

Speed record:[43]

Biggest Margin of Victory:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Trivia

Fillies in the Belmont

Only 24 fillies have run in the Belmont; three of which have won:

This gives them a respectable 13% win rate when entered.[48] For context, three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby while six have won the Preakness Stakes. On average, fillies have won between 2% and 3% of the Triple Crown races, with similar numbers for geldings; while about 95% of these races have been won by colts. The last filly as of June 11, 2022 to run in the Belmont was in 2022 when Nest ran second (placed) behind the winner her stable mate Mo Donegal.

Foreign-born winners

Winners (since 1867)

Triple Crown winners are in bold.

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerTrackDistanceTrack ConditionTime*
DornochLuis SaezDanny GarganWest Paces Racing, et al.Fast2:01.64
2023ArcangeloJavier CastellanoJena M. AntonucciBlue Rose Farm Belmont ParkFast2:29.23
2022Mo DonegalIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable & Donegal RacingFast2:28.28
2021Essential QualityLuis SaezBrad H. CoxGodolphin StablesFast2:27.11
2020Tiz the LawManny FrancoBarclay TaggSackatoga StableFast1:46.53
2019Sir WinstonJoel RosarioMark E. CasseTracy FarmerFast2:28.30
2018JustifyMike SmithBob BaffertWinStar Farm, et al.Fast2:28.18
2017TapwritJosé OrtizTodd A. PletcherBridlewood Farm, et al.Fast2:30.02
2016CreatorIrad Ortiz Jr.Steven M. AsmussenWinStar Farm & Bobby FlayFast2:28.51
2015American PharoahVictor EspinozaBob BaffertZayat Stables, LLCFast2:26.65
2014TonalistJoel RosarioChristophe ClementRobert S. EvansFast2:28.52
2013Palace MaliceMike SmithTodd A. PletcherDogwood StableFast2:30.70
2012Union RagsJohn R. VelazquezMichael MatzPhyllis M. WyethFast2:30.42
2011Ruler on IceJose Valdivia Jr.Kelly BreenGeorge and Lori HallSloppy (sealed)2:30.88
2010DrosselmeyerMike SmithWilliam MottWinStar Farm LLCFast2:31.57
2009Summer BirdKent DesormeauxTim IceKalarikkal & Vilasini JayaramanFast2:27.54
2008Da'TaraAlan GarciaNick ZitoRobert V. LaPentaFast2:29.65
2007Rags to RichesJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherMichael Tabor & Derrick SmithFast2:28.74
2006JazilFernando JaraKiaran McLaughlinShadwell FarmFast2:27.86
2005Afleet AlexJeremy RoseTimothy RitcheyCash is King LLCFast2:28.75
2004BirdstoneEdgar PradoNick ZitoMarylou Whitney StablesFast2:27.50
2003Empire MakerJerry BaileyRobert FrankelJuddmonte FarmsSloppy2:28.26
2002SaravaEdgar PradoKenneth McPeekNew Phoenix StableFast2:29.71
2001Point GivenGary StevensBob BaffertThe Thoroughbred Corp.Fast2:26.56
2000CommendablePat DayD. Wayne LukasBob & Beverly LewisFast2:31.19
1999Lemon Drop KidJosé A. SantosScotty SchulhoferJeanne G. VanceFast2:27.88
1998Victory GallopGary StevensW. Elliott WaldenPrestonwood FarmFast2:29.16
1997Touch GoldChris McCarronDavid HofmansFrank StronachFast2:28.82
1996Editor's NoteRené R. DouglasD. Wayne LukasOverbrook FarmFast2:28.96
1995Thunder GulchGary StevensD. Wayne LukasMichael TaborFast2:32.02
1994Tabasco CatPat DayD. Wayne LukasDavid P. Reynolds & Overbrook FarmFast2:26.82
1993Colonial AffairJulie KroneScotty SchulhoferCentennial FarmsGood2:29.97
1992A.P. IndyEd DelahoussayeNeil DrysdaleTomonori TsurumakiGood2:26.13
1991HanselJerry BaileyFrank L. BrothersLazy Lane FarmFast2:28.10
1990Go And GoMichael KinaneDermot K. WeldMoyglare Stud FarmGood2:27.20
1989Easy GoerPat DayC. R. McGaughey IIIOgden PhippsFast2:26.00
1988Risen StarEd DelahoussayeLouie J. Roussel IIILouie J. Roussel IIIFast2:26.40
1987Bet TwiceCraig PerretJimmy CrollBlanche P. LevyFast2:28.20
1986Danzig ConnectionChris McCarronWoody StephensHenryk de KwiatkowskiSloppy2:29.80
1985Creme FraicheEddie MapleBrushwood StablesMuddy2:27.00
1984SwaleLaffit Pincay Jr.Claiborne FarmFast2:27.20
1983CaveatAugust Belmont IVFast2:27.80
1982Conquistador CieloHenryk de KwiatkowskiSloppy2:28.20
1981SummingGeorge MartensLuis S. BarreraCharles T. Wilson Jr.Fast2:29.00
1980Temperence HillEddie MapleJoseph B. CanteyLoblolly StableMuddy2:29.80
1979CoastalRuben HernandezDavid A. WhiteleyWilliam Haggin PerryFast2:28.60
1978AffirmedSteve CauthenLaz BarreraHarbor View FarmFast2:26.80
1977Seattle SlewJean CruguetWilliam H. Turner Jr.Karen L. TaylorMuddy2:29.60
1976Bold ForbesÁngel Cordero Jr.Laz BarreraE. Rodriguez TizolFast2:29.00
1975AvatarBill ShoemakerTommy DoyleArthur A. Seeligson Jr.Fast2:28.20
1974Little CurrentMiguel A. RiveraLou RondinelloDarby Dan FarmFast2:29.20
1973SecretariatRon TurcotteLucien LaurinMeadow StableFast2:24.00
1972Riva RidgeMeadow StudFast2:28.00
1971Pass CatcherWalter BlumEddie YowellOctober House FarmFast2:30.40
1970High EchelonJohn L. RotzJohn W. JacobsEthel D. JacobsSloppy2:34.00
1969Arts and LettersBraulio BaezaJ. Elliott BurchRokeby StablesFast2:28.80
1968Stage Door JohnnyHeliodoro GustinesJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree StableFast2:27.20
1967DamascusBill ShoemakerFrank Y. Whiteley Jr.Edith W. BancroftAqueductFast2:28.80
1966AmberoidWilliam BolandLucien LaurinReginald N. WebsterFast2:29.60
1965Hail To AllJohnny SellersEddie YowellZelda CohenFast2:28.40
1964QuadrangleManuel YcazaJ. Elliott BurchRokeby StablesFast2:28.40
1963ChateaugayBraulio BaezaJames P. ConwayDarby Dan FarmGood2:30.20
1962JaipurBill ShoemakerBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.Belmont ParkFast2:28.80
1961SherluckBraulio BaezaHarold YoungJacob SherFast2:29.20
1960Celtic AshBill HartackThomas J. BarryJoseph E. O'ConnellFast2:29.20
1959Sword DancerBill ShoemakerJ. Elliott BurchBrookmeade StableSloppy2:28.40
1958CavanPete AndersonThomas J. BarryJoseph E. O'ConnellFast2:30.20
1957Gallant ManBill ShoemakerJohn A. NerudRalph LoweFast2:26.60
1956NeedlesDavid ErbHugh L. FontaineD & H StableFast2:29.80
1955NashuaEddie ArcaroJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudFast2:29.00
1954High GunEric GuerinMax HirschKing RanchFast2:30.80
1953Native DancerBill WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt Jr.Fast2:28.60
1952One CountEddie ArcaroOscar WhiteSarah F. JeffordsFast2:30.20
1951CounterpointDave GormanSylvester VeitchCornelius V. WhitneyFast2:29.00
1950MiddlegroundWilliam BolandMax HirschKing RanchFast2:28.60
1949CapotTed AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree StableFast2:30.20
1948CitationEddie ArcaroHorace A. JonesCalumet FarmFast2:28.20
1947PhalanxRuperto DonosoSylvester VeitchCornelius V. WhitneyFast2:29.40
1946AssaultWarren MehrtensMax HirschKing RanchFast2:30.80
1945PavotEddie ArcaroOscar WhiteWalter M. Jeffords Sr.Fast2:30.20
1944Bounding HomeGayle SmithMatthew P. BradyWilliam Ziegler Jr.Fast2:32.20
1943Count FleetJohnny LongdenDon CameronFannie HertzFast2:28.20
1942Shut OutEddie ArcaroJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree StableFast2:29.20
1941WhirlawayBen A. JonesCalumet FarmFast2:31.00
1940BimelechFred A. SmithWilliam A. HurleyEdward R. BradleyFast2:29.60
1939JohnstownJames StoutJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudFast2:29.60
1938PasteurizedGeorge M. OdomCarol Harriman PlunkettFast2:29.40
1937War AdmiralCharley KurtsingerGeorge ConwayGlen Riddle FarmFast2:28.60
1936GranvilleJames StoutJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudFast2:30.00
1935OmahaWillie SaundersSloppy2:30.60
1934Peace ChanceWayne D. WrightPete CoyneJoseph E. WidenerFast2:29.20
1933HurryoffMack GarnerHenry McDanielFast2:32.60
1932FairenoTommy MalleyJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudFast2:32.80
1931Twenty GrandCharley KurtsingerJames G. Rowe Jr.Greentree StableFast2:29.60
1930Gallant FoxEarl SandeJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudGood2:31.60
1929Blue LarkspurMack GarnerHerbert J. ThompsonEdward R. BradleySloppy2:32.80
1928VitoClarence KummerMax HirschAlfred H. CosdenFast2:33.20
1927Chance ShotEarl SandePete CoyneJoseph E. WidenerFast2:32.40
1926CrusaderAlbert JohnsonGeorge ConwayGlen Riddle FarmSloppy2:32.20
1925American FlagAlbert JohnsonGwyn R. TompkinsFast2:16.80
1924Mad PlayEarl SandeSam HildrethRancocas StableGood2:18.80
1923ZevGood2:19.00
1922PilloryCharles H. MillerThomas J. HealeyRichard T. Wilson Jr.Fast2:18.80
1921Grey LagEarl SandeSam HildrethRancocas StableFast2:16.80
1920Man o' WarClarence KummerLouis FeustelGlen Riddle FarmFast2:14.20
1919Sir BartonJohnny LoftusH. Guy BedwellJ. K. L. RossFast2:17.40
1918JohrenFrank RobinsonAlbert SimonsHarry P. WhitneyFast2:20.40
1917HourlessJames H. ButwellSam HildrethAugust Belmont Jr.Good2:17.80
1916Friar RockEverett HaynesMuddy2:22.00
1915The FinnGeorge ByrneEdward W. HeffnerHarry C. HallenbeckFast2:18.40
1914Luke McLukeMerritt C. BuxtonJohn F. SchorrJohn W. SchorrFast2:20.00
1913Prince EugeneRoscoe TroxlerJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry P. WhitneyFast2:18.00
1912No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law.
1911
1910SweepJames H. ButwellJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. KeeneBelmont ParkFast2:22.00
1909Joe MaddenEddie DuganSam HildrethSam Hildreth(not listed)2:21.60
1908ColinJoe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene(not listed)N/A
1907Peter PanGeorge Mountain(not listed)N/A
1906BurgomasterLucien LyneJohn W. RogersHarry P. Whitney(not listed)2:20.00
1905TanyaGene Hildebrand(not listed)2:08.00
1904DelhiGeorge M. OdomJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. KeeneMorris ParkFast2:06.60
1903AfricanderJohn BullmanRichard O. MillerHampton StableFast2:21.75
1902MastermanJohn J. HylandAugust Belmont Jr.Fast2:22.60
1901CommandoHenry SpencerJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. KeeneFast2:21.00
1900IldrimNash TurnerH. Eugene LeighH. Eugene LeighFast2:21.25
1899Jean BereaudRichard ClawsonSam HildrethSydney PagetFast2:23.00
1898Bowling BrookFred LittlefieldR. Wyndham WaldenAlfred Hennen Morris & Dave Hennen MorrisHeavy2:32.00
1897Scottish ChieftainJoe ScherrerMatt ByrnesMarcus DalyFast2:23.25
1896HastingsHenry GriffinJohn J. HylandBelmont StableGood2:24.50
1895BelmarFred TaralEdward FeakesPreakness StablesHeavy2:11.50
1894Henry of NavarreWillie SimmsByron McClellandByron McClellandFast1:56.50
1893ComancheGus HannonEmpire StableFast1:53.25
1892PatronWilliam HaywardLouis StuartLouis StuartMuddy2:17.00
1891FoxfordEdward H. GarrisonMichael DonavanC. E. RandGood2:08.75
1890BurlingtonShelby "Pike" BarnesAlbert CooperHough Bros.Fast2:07.75
1889EricWilliam HaywardJohn HugginsA. J. CassattJerome ParkGood2:47.25
1888Sir DixonJim McLaughlinFrank McCabeDwyer Bros. StableFast2:40.25
1887HanoverHeavy2:43.50
1886Inspector BFast2:41.00
1885TyrantPatsy DuffyWilliam R. ClaypoolJames B. A. HagginGood2:43.00
1884PaniqueJim McLaughlinJames G. Rowe Sr.Dwyer Bros. StableGood2:42.00
1883George KinneyFast2:42.50
1882ForesterLewis StewartAppleby & JohnsonFast2:43.00
1881SauntererTom CostelloR. Wyndham WaldenGeorge L. LorillardHeavy2:47.00
1880GrenadaLloyd HughesGood2:47.00
1879SpendthriftGeorge EvansThomas PuryearJames R. KeeneSloppy2:42.75
1878Duke of MagentaLloyd HughesR. Wyndham WaldenGeorge L. LorillardMuddy2:43.50
1877CloverbrookCyrus HollowayJeter WaldenEdwin Augustus ClabaughHeavy2:46.00
1876AlgerineWilliam DonohueThomas W. DoswellDoswell & Co.Fast2:40.50
1875CalvinRobert SwimAnsel WilliamsonH. Price McGrathFast2:42.25
1874SaxonGeorge BarbeeWilliam PryorPierre Lorillard IVFast2:39.50
1873SpringbokJames G. Rowe Sr.David McDanielDavid McDanielFair3:01.75
1872Joe DanielsFair2:58.25
1871Harry BassettW. MillerFast2:56.00
1870KingfisherEdward D. BrownRaleigh Colston Sr.Daniel SwigertFast2:59.50
1869FenianC. MillerJacob PincusAugust BelmontHeavy3:04.25
1868General DukeRobert SwimAndrew ThompsonMcConnell & Co.Fast3:02.00
1867RuthlessGilbert PatrickA. Jack MinorFrancis MorrisHeavy3:05.00

A † designates a filly.

Sire lines

Belmont Stakes winners with male-line descendants including other Belmont Stakes winners:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Test of the Champion National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame . 2024-06-11 . www.racingmuseum.org.
  2. Web site: CNN . Ben Church . 2024-06-08 . Belmont Stakes: How to watch as two champions go head-to-head at this year’s race . 2024-06-11 . KWWL . en.
  3. Book: Belmont Park: A Century of Champions . Eclipse Press Blood-Horse publications . Edward L. Bowen and Richard Stone Reeves . 2005 . 978-1-58150-122-3 . May 29, 2018.
  4. News: Greenberg . Neil . Analysis This 15-1 long shot is poised to win the Belmont Stakes . Washington Post . 24 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Viewership of 2008 Belmont Stakes. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021042054/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/06/13/belmont-stakes-tv-viewership/4003/. 2012-10-21.
  6. Web site: Belmont Stakes Records & Traditions . New York Racing Association . 2011-11-04.
  7. Book: Sowers. Richard. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes : a comprehensive history. 2014. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Jefferson, North Carolina. 978-0-7864-7698-5.
  8. Web site: Horse Racing's Triple Crown: 10 Fast Facts – History in the Headlines. history.com. May 30, 2016.
  9. Web site: History Challenge: The first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton. Daily Racing Form. May 30, 2016.
  10. Web site: Chart of the 1920 Belmont Stakes. https://web.archive.org/web/20120310140606/http://www.belmontstakes.com/UserFiles/file/1920.pdf. dead. March 10, 2012. Belmont Stakes. May 30, 2016.
  11. Web site: 10 things to know about the Triple Crown. The Courier-Journal. May 30, 2016.
  12. Web site: Preakness Stakes . Turfnsport.com . 2010-10-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110429021800/http://www.turfnsport.com/triplecrown/preakness-stakes.php . 2011-04-29.
  13. Web site: Triple Crown Races. Triple Crown Racing. May 30, 2016.
  14. Web site: Chart of the 1937 Belmont. Belmont Stakes. May 30, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160629175508/http://www.belmontstakes.com/UserFiles/file/1937.pdf. June 29, 2016.
  15. Web site: Nusca. Andrew. Here are the 12 winners of the Triple Crown. Fortune. 30 May 2016. 7 June 2015.
  16. Web site: Livingston. Barbara. Bygone Belmont winners. Daily Racing Form.
  17. Web site: Hammonds. Evan. First Time By: Inaugural Eclipse Awards. BloodHorse.com.
  18. Web site: Statistics – North American Records. Equibase. 4 June 2016.
  19. Web site: Fastest Belmonts. www.belmontstakes.com. May 30, 2016.
  20. News: On the Fast Track To History . The Washington Post . Andrew . Beyer . May 17, 2004.
  21. Web site: Belmont Stakes Attendance. https://web.archive.org/web/20150526004541/http://www.belmont-stakes.info/attendance. dead. May 26, 2015. www.belmont-stakes.info. May 30, 2016.
  22. Web site: Mihoces. Gary. California Chrome fails to win Belmont, Triple Crown. USA Today. May 29, 2016.
  23. Web site: American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown. 6 June 2015 . Yahoo! Sports. May 26, 2016.
  24. Web site: Petrella. Steve. American Pharoah posts sixth-best winning time in Belmont Stakes history. Sporting News. 4 June 2016. 7 June 2015.
  25. Web site: Britton . Bianca . Undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify retires from racing . CNN . 26 July 2018 . 19 August 2018.
  26. Web site: Belmont Stakes to be held June 20 – without fans. www.cbsnews.com-US. 19 May 2020 . 2020-05-20.
  27. Web site: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Horse Racing Tracks Statewide and Watkins Glen International Racetrack Will be Allowed to Open Without Fans as of June 1st. 2020-05-16. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. 2020-05-16.
  28. Web site: Whyno. Stephen. 2020-05-19. Belmont set for June 20 without fans, leads off Triple Crown. 2020-06-17. AP NEWS. Associated Press.
  29. Web site: Inabinett. Mark. Belmont Stakes 2020: Morning line favors Tiz the Law. www.al.com. June 17, 2020. June 20, 2020.
  30. News: Bonesteel . Matt . 6 December 2023 . Belmont Stakes moving to Saratoga in 2024 amid track reconstruction . 6 December 2023 . The Washington Post.
  31. 6 December 2023 . Governor Hochul Welcomes the 2024 Belmont Stakes to the Saratoga Race Course . Albany, NY . Office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul . 6 December 2023.
  32. Web site: NYRA seeks to hold 2025 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. 20 March 2024. Spectrum News Albany/Capital Region. 9 April 2024.
  33. Web site: Largest and Smallest Purses wins at Belmont Stakes Belmont Stakes Betting. https://web.archive.org/web/20150526004602/http://www.belmont-stakes.info/largestpurse. dead. 2015-05-26. www.belmont-stakes.info.
  34. Web site: Past Winners. www.belmontstakes.com. May 28, 2016.
  35. Web site: Wing. Eric. Belmont Stakes purse raised to $1.5 million – General News – News New York Racing Association – Belmont. www.nyra.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160804221253/https://www.nyra.com/belmont/belmont-stakes-purse-raised-to-15-million/. 2016-08-04.
  36. Web site: Belmont Stakes Traditions . Horseracing.about.com . 2010-06-15 . 2010-10-07 . 2010-05-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100516102410/http://horseracing.about.com/od/belmontstakes/ss/aabeltraditions_4.htm . dead .
  37. Web site: The Belmont Stakes singing a new tune. Associated Press. June 4, 2010. newsobserver.com. June 19, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121029151624/http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/04/514149/the-belmont-stakes-singing-a-new.html. October 29, 2012.
  38. Web site: Sinatra's voice returns to Belmont Stakes. https://archive.today/20130118082742/http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-04/ae/29685780_1_nyra-belmont-stakes-horses-step. dead. January 18, 2013. Associated Press. June 4, 2011. boston.com. June 19, 2012.
  39. News: Scheinman. John. Five Myths About the Triple Crown. The Washington Post. 2014-05-30. 2014-05-30.
  40. Web site: Belmont Stakes Traditions . Horseracing.about.com . 2010-06-15 . 2010-10-07 . 2010-05-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100516105040/http://horseracing.about.com/od/belmontstakes/ss/aabeltraditions_5.htm . dead .
  41. News: The Summer Cook; The Appetites Are Nearing the Gate . Julie . Powell . The New York Times . June 8, 2005 . 2012-06-09.
  42. http://www.belmontstakes.com/history/carnationblanket.aspxNew York Racing Association website, Belmont Park home page
  43. Web site: History. www.belmontstakes.com. 6 June 2016.
  44. Web site: Belmont Stakes Attendance, Wagering Set Records . BloodHorse.com . 2010-10-07.
  45. News: Creator wins Belmont Stakes by a nose Toronto Star. The Toronto Star. 11 June 2016. 12 June 2016.
  46. Web site: 26 Jun 1971, Page 4 – Standard-Speaker at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  47. Web site: Arcangelo's Belmont Victory Makes Trainer First Woman to Win a Triple Crown Race . Drape. Joe. 10 June 2023. The New York Times.
  48. Web site: Runners. https://web.archive.org/web/20150528010912/http://www.belmontstakes.com/UserFiles/file/Runners.pdf. dead. 28 May 2015. belmontstakes.com. 6 June 2016.
  49. Web site: Sire Lines . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  50. Web site: Saxon Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  51. Web site: Sire Lines King Fergus . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  52. Web site: St. Simon Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  53. Web site: Colonial Affair Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  54. Web site: Pot8os Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  55. Web site: Birdcatcher Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  56. Web site: Stockwell Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  57. Web site: Bend Or Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  58. Web site: Phalaris Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  59. Web site: Nearco Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  60. Web site: Camel Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net . 23 May 2021.
  61. Web site: Himyar's Other Line . cs.bloodhorse.com . 23 May 2021 . en.
  62. Web site: Henry of Navarre Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  63. Web site: Quadrangle Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  64. Web site: Matchem Sire Line . www.bloodlines.net.
  65. Web site: The Finn Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  66. Web site: Zev Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  67. Web site: Joe Daniels Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  68. Web site: Springbok Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  69. Web site: Algerine Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  70. Web site: Spendthrift Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  71. Web site: Hastings Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  72. Web site: Masterman Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  73. Web site: Thoroughbred Bloodlines Sire Lines Byerley Turk . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  74. Web site: Thoroughbred Bloodlines Sire Lines Byerley Turk King Herod . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  75. Web site: Thoroughbred Bloodlines Sire Lines Byerley Turk King Herod Buzzard Selim . www.bloodlines.net . 20 April 2021.
  76. Web site: Calvin Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  77. Web site: General Duke Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  78. Web site: Kingfisher Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  79. Web site: Harry Bassett.
  80. Web site: Vauxhall Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  81. Web site: Duke of Magenta Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  82. Web site: Comanche Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  83. Web site: Hurryoff Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  84. Web site: Amberoid Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  85. Web site: Hanover Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  86. Web site: Burgomaster Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  87. Web site: Prince Eugene Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  88. Web site: High Echelon Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  89. Web site: Little Current Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  90. Web site: Affirmed Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  91. Web site: Coastal Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  92. Web site: Conquistador Cielo Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  93. Web site: Easy Goer Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  94. Web site: Hansel Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  95. Web site: Thunder Gulch Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  96. Web site: Editors Note Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  97. Web site: Victory Gallop Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  98. Web site: Lemon Drop Kid Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  99. Web site: Commendable Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  100. Web site: Point Given Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  101. Web site: Empire Maker Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  102. Web site: Birdstone Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  103. Web site: Afleet Alex Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  104. Web site: Jazil Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  105. Web site: Summer Bird Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  106. Web site: Drosselmeyer Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  107. Web site: Ruler On Ice Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  108. Web site: Palace Malice Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  109. Web site: American Pharoah Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  110. Web site: Arcangelo Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  111. Web site: Ildrim Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  112. Web site: Man O War Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  113. Web site: Mad Play Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  114. Web site: American Flag Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  115. Web site: Crusader Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  116. Web site: Chance Shot Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  117. Web site: Faireno Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  118. Web site: Peace Chance Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  119. Web site: War Admiral Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  120. Web site: Da Tara Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  121. Web site: Ap Indy Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  122. Web site: Swale Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  123. Web site: Rags To Riches Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  124. Web site: Tonalist Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  125. Web site: Creator Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  126. Web site: Tapwrit Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  127. Web site: Tiz The Law Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  128. Web site: Essential Quality Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  129. Web site: Peter Pan Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  130. Web site: Colin Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  131. Web site: Luke Mcluke Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  132. Web site: Blue Larkspur Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  133. Web site: Bimelech Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  134. Web site: Shut Out Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  135. Web site: Omaha Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  136. Web site: Granville Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  137. Web site: Counterpoint Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  138. Web site: One Count Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  139. Web site: Eric Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  140. Web site: Joe Madden Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  141. Web site: Phalanx Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  142. Web site: Damascus Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.
  143. Web site: Risen Star Horse Pedigree. www.pedigreequery.com.