By Christina Moore
Special to NKyTribune
The Belmont Stakes is Saturday, and the historic race is one of the most celebrated sporting events in the country.
Get ready for the race and brush up on your Belmont trivia with 12 fun facts below.
The Belmont is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. First run in 1867, it predates both the Kentucky Derby (1875) and Preakness Stakes (1873)
1. The favorite won the Belmont in 11 consecutive editions, from 1878 to 1888.
2. The Belmont is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. First run in 1867, it predates both the Kentucky Derby (1875) and Preakness Stakes (1873).
3. Trainer Woody Stephens won a remarkable five straight Belmonts from 1982 to 1986.
4. Like host track Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes is named for August Belmont I, a prominent New York financier and politician in the 1800s. The Belmont family has won six editions of their namesake race.
5. The first post parade in U.S. racing occurred before the 1871 Belmont.
6. The Belmont is the “Test of the Champion” and it’s run over “Big Sandy.” The race earned its nickname due to its difficulty and the Belmont track is sometimes called “Big Sandy” due to its large circumference and sandy surface.
7. Five editions of the Belmont featured just two horses in the race: 1887, 1888, 1892, 1910 and 1920.
8. The winner of the Belmont earns a garland of white carnations. The statue of Secretariat in the paddock also receives a garland of carnations each year for the race, draped across the base.
9. In the history of the Belmont, four editions have been decided by a nose, including Creator’s victory over Destin in 2016.
10. The first Belmont Stakes was run at 1 5/8 miles in 1867 and featured an English racing saddle among the prizes. It was run on a Thursday at Jerome Park.
11. The 1869 Belmont winner Fenian graces the top of the Belmont Stakes trophy, known as the August Belmont Memorial Cup and crafted by Tiffany & Co. Fenian was owned by August Belmont.
12. Trainer Lucien Laurin had a 100 percent win rate in the Belmont. He ran three horses in the race and they each won: Amberoid (1966), Riva Ridge (1972) and Triple Crown winner Secretariat (1973).
Christina Moore writes for Americasbestracing.net
