The History of Belmont Park racetrack

As the 1978 Belmont Stakes began, all eyes were on the two thoroughbreds who make up one of the greatest rivalries in the history of horse racing: Affirmed and Alydar.  The race was held at Belmont Park and was the third and final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.  Affirmed had won the previous two legs of the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes), with Alydar finishing second in both. The race began at a slow pace, heating up only when the two favorites broke away from the field.   They spent the final 3/4 of a mile almost dead even, with Affirmed eventually winning by a nose to become horse racing’s 11th Triple Crown winner.

In the nearly 32 years since Affirmed’s classic win at the Belmont Stakes, no horse has been able to win a Triple Crown.  Time after time, the race held at Belmont Park has foiled the Triple Crown plans of a number of horses.  Because it is the final leg of the Triple Crown, it is often referred to as the “Test of Champions” – win the Belmont, win the Triple Crown.  Since 1978, the test has been failed by the eleven horses who have entered the race after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Belmont Park, located in Elmont, New York, has hosted the Belmont Stakes since it opened in 1905. Prior to Belmont Park’s opening, the race was held at Jerome Park (1867-1889) and Morris Park (1890-1904).  The first race was financed by August Belmont, Sr., for whom the race was named.  Belmont Park is also likely named after him, although some believe it was named after his son, August Belmont, Jr., who played a major role in building the racecourse.

Belmont Park features the largest dirt track in thoroughbred racing at 1.5 miles.  It is a quarter mile longer than the track at Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby) and 5/16 of a mile longer than the track at Pimlico Race Course (home of the Preakness).

The unusually long distance of the course provides a challenge for its racers.  The required age for horses participating in the Belmont Stakes is 3, and many 3-year-olds have never raced at that distance.  This results in races which yield surprises at a more consistent rate than the other two Triple Crown races, such as when Rags to Riches won the race in 2007, becoming the first winning filly in over a century.

There have been many other historic horse racing events that have taken place at Belmont Park.  In 1973, Secretariat finished his Triple Crown bid by winning the Belmont Stakes by a record 31 lengths.  His time of 2:24.00 is still a race record. 

In 1975, Ruffian, a filly, entered the Belmont Stakes undefeated in her previous ten races.  Her biggest threat was that year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Foolish Pleasure.  The race was deemed the “Equine Battle of the Sexes” and was one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.  The race ended tragically when Ruffian’s leg snapped while she was in the lead.  The horse was eventually euthanized and is now buried in Belmont Park’s infield.

In 2004, a crowd of 120,139 packed into Belmont Park to see if Smarty Jones would be the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years.  The number was the largest in New York Racing history.  The race ended up being won by 36-1 long shot Birdstone with Smarty Jones finishing second.

Belmont Park has been the subject of reconstruction in its 105-year history.  From 1963-1967, the Belmont Stakes was held at nearby Aqueduct Racetrack while the Park was rebuilt.  Despite the changes it has undergone, it has been able to maintain a few remnants of the old park.  The railings surrounding the horses’ walking rings are remnants of Old Belmont Park, as are the four stone pillars displayed on nearby Hempstead Turnpike.