Belmont Stakes stats and info

Also known as the "Run for the Carnations" because of the blanket of white carnations that are draped over the winner's neck, The Belmont has been won by nine foreign-born horses, five of them for the UK. They are:

1874 - Saxon UK
1898 - Bowling Brook UK
1917 - Hourless UK
1918 - Johren UK
1957 - Gallant Man
1958 - Cavan UK
1960 - Celtic Ash
1990 - Go And Go
1998 - Victory Gallop


On June 7, 2008 this years Belmont horses include the Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown is seroius odds-on (2/5 today) with British bookmakers to complete the elusive American Triple Crown on June 7 after another awesome display in the Preakness Stakes. If Big Brown does win and thuscompletes the Triple Crown he would be the first since Affirmed did the triple in 1978.

The Racing Post reports that "THREE CHIMNEYS FARM of Kentucky has signed an agreement to stand the unbeaten Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown next year.

According to published reports, the contract gives Three Chimneys a minority interest in the colt's stud rights only, while his racing career will remain in the hands of International Equine Acquisitions Holdings and Paul Pompa jnr. . . Bred by Dr Gary Knapp's Monticule farm from the Nureyev mare Mien, Big Brown will now head for the Belmont Stakes. The questions of long his racing career will last after that, and what stud fee he will command, are the next questions to set the rumour mill grinding."

Next in the betting the main rival to Big Brown in The Belmont could be the Japanese Casino Drive, sent off 7-5 favourite, is a half-brother to the two most recent Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags To Riches. He made his one and only previous start on February 23 at Kyoto, winning by more than 11 lengths. He covered the 1m1f in 1m47.87secs.

Last ten winners
2007 Rags To Riches (hd) 2:28.74 John Velazquez T. Pletcher
2006 Jazil (1 1/4) 2:27 4/5 Fernando Jara K. McLaughlin
2005 Afleet Alex (7) 2:28 4/5 Jeremy Rose T. Ritchey
2004 Birdstone (1) 2:272/5 Edgar Prado Nick Zito
2003 Empire Maker (3/4) 2:281/5 Jerry Bailey Bobby Frankel
2002 Sarava (1/2) 2:293/5 Edgar Prado Ken McPeek
2001 Point Given (121/4) 2:262/5 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert
2000 Commendable (11/2) 2:311/5 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas
1999 Lemon Drop Kid (hd) 2:274/5 Jose Santos Scotty Schulhofer
1998 Victory Gallop (ns) 2:29:00 Gary Stevens Elliott Walden


Course Info:

Main Course: 1 1/2 Miles
Last Turn to Finish on Main Track: 1,097 feet
Widener Turf Course: 1 5/16 Miles
Inner Turf Course: 1 3/16 Miles
Attendance Capacity: 85,000 - 90,000
Parking Capacity: 18,500 Cars
Trackside Dining: 2,300
Total Seating Capacity: 32,941

First race on Belmont Stakes Day starts at 12 noon, the 13-race card ends at 5 p.m.

Gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Belmont Stakes Day.
General Admission is $10
Clubhouse $20
Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult
General Parking $10
Preferred Parking $25
No valet parking on Belmont Stakes Day.