The Belmont Stakes, the Run for the Carnations, is the oldest of the triple Crown races, and the third jewel that must be won, after the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, to claim the "Triple Crown". It was first run at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx, in 1867. The first Preakness was run at Pimlico in 1873, and the first Kentucky Derby was in 1875 at the Louisville Jockey Club (Churchill Downs).
In 1905, the Belmont Stakes found its permanent home at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY. Belmont Park was razed and rebuilt in the 1960s and is currently undergoing a 455-million-dollar renovation. Due to the renovation, the Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga for the second year.
The 158th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 6:50 p.m. ET. Usually a 1.5-mile (12-furlong) race, it will only be 10 furlongs this year to accommodate the length of the main track at Saratoga. The race has a purse of $2,000,000. The winning horse is draped in a blanket of white carnations, the traditional flower of the Belmont Stakes.
We know there will be no Triple Crown winner this year, but you can still enjoy the race. You can spend endless hours with the racing form trying to suss out the winner, or you might do just as well picking a name you like, the look of the horse emerging from the paddock, or the color of rider's silks. It is a great excuse to dress up wear a big hat, eat, drink and socialize!