Belmont Park

Belmont Park Race Track is a horse-racing facility located just outside New York City, in the adjacent Nassau County suburb of Elmont, Long Island. It first opened May 4, 1905. It is world-famous as the home of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Belmont: The family and the stakes

The Belmont Stakes was named after financier and sportsman August Belmont, Sr., who helped fund the race, and most sources say the racetrack itself was also named for him. Other sources say Belmont Park was named in honor of his son -- August Belmont II, a key member of the Westchester Racing Association, which established the racecourse.

Related Topics:
August Belmont, Sr. - August Belmont II

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The race was first run in 1867 at Jerome Park in the Bronx. In 1937, the wrought iron gates that bore an illustration of that first Belmont Stakes were donated to the track by August Belmont II's sole surviving son, Perry Belmont. The gates are now on the fourth floor of Belmont Park's clubhouse.

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The Belmont Stakes have been run at Belmont Park since 1905, with the exceptions of the 1911 and 1912 years when racing was outlawed in New York State; and the 1963-67 editions held at Aqueduct while the stands at Belmont Park were being reconstructed. The first post parade in the United States was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880.

Related Topics:
1905 - Aqueduct - United States - 1880

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Secretariat's final time in his 1973 Belmont victory (2 minutes, 24 seconds) set a record not only for the distance at the track and for the race itself, but was also a world record for the 1½ miles (2,414 m) on dirt, that still stands. Other memorable performances in Belmont Park history include the tragedy-marred victory of Foolish Pleasure over champion filly Ruffian in a 1975 match race (the latter broke down during the race and had to be euthanized), Affirmed's epic stretch duel with Alydar in the 1978 Belmont Stakes, a victory that gave Affirmed the Triple Crown; and Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew's defeat of Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup in September of that same year.

Related Topics:
Secretariat - 1973 - Foolish Pleasure - Ruffian - 1975 - Affirmed - Alydar - 1978 - Seattle Slew

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