The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race; it makes up the third leg of the Triple Crown. The 1.5-mile course is run by three-year-old thoroughbred horses. Established in 1867, the event takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The race has been nicknamed the “Run for the Carnations” since a blanket of white carnations is hanged around the winner’s neck. It’s also sometimes referred to as the “Test of the Champion,” as it’s the final race of the Triple Crown and it’s an especially long race. Most three-year-old horses are unaccustomed to the length; the lack of experience and endurance plays a factor in the strategy.
Secretariat owns the speed record at 2:24:00, set in 1973. Not only is the time a world record, but Secretariat won by the largest margin in the history of American Grade 1 stakes races, a whopping 31 lengths. The Belmont also featured the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when Julie Krone rode Colonial Affair to victory in 1993.
Summer Bird was crowned the 2009 Belmont Stakes champion. Listed below are the past 20 Belmont Stakes winners:
2009 Summer Bird
2008 Da’Tara
2007 Rags to Riches
2006 Jazil
2005 Afleet Alex
2004 Birdstone
2003 Empire Maker
2002 Sarava
2001 Point Given
2000 Commendable
1999 Lemon Drop Kid
1998 Victory Gallop
1997 Touch Gold
1996 Editor’s Note
1995 Thunder Gulch
1994 Tabasco Cat
1993 Colonial Affair
1992 A.P.Indy
1991 Hansel
1990 Go And Go
The race has been nicknamed the “Run for the Carnations” since a blanket of white carnations is hanged around the winner’s neck. It’s also sometimes referred to as the “Test of the Champion,” as it’s the final race of the Triple Crown and it’s an especially long race. Most three-year-old horses are unaccustomed to the length; the lack of experience and endurance plays a factor in the strategy.
Secretariat owns the speed record at 2:24:00, set in 1973. Not only is the time a world record, but Secretariat won by the largest margin in the history of American Grade 1 stakes races, a whopping 31 lengths. The Belmont also featured the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when Julie Krone rode Colonial Affair to victory in 1993.
Summer Bird was crowned the 2009 Belmont Stakes champion. Listed below are the past 20 Belmont Stakes winners:
2009 Summer Bird
2008 Da’Tara
2007 Rags to Riches
2006 Jazil
2005 Afleet Alex
2004 Birdstone
2003 Empire Maker
2002 Sarava
2001 Point Given
2000 Commendable
1999 Lemon Drop Kid
1998 Victory Gallop
1997 Touch Gold
1996 Editor’s Note
1995 Thunder Gulch
1994 Tabasco Cat
1993 Colonial Affair
1992 A.P.Indy
1991 Hansel
1990 Go And Go
