The first Belmont in the United States was not the
famous stakes race or even the man for whom it is named.
Rather, the first Belmont was a race horse that arrived
in California in 1853 from his breeding grounds of
Franklin, Ohio. The Belmont Stakes, however, are named
after August Belmont, a financier who made quite a name
and fortune for himself in New York politics and
society. Obviously, Mr. Belmont was also quite involved
in horse racing, and his imprint is even intertwined
within the history of the Kentucky Derby Betting.
Because of its length (one
lap around the enormous Belmont main track),
and because it is the final race of the Triple Crown Horse Betting, it
is called the "Test of the Champion". Most
three-year-olds are unaccustomed to the distance, and
lack the experience, if not the ability, to maintain a
winning speed for so long. In a long race such as the
Belmont, positioning of the horse and the timing of the
move to chase for the lead can be critical.
Because of its distance and status as the race that can
make or break a Triple Crown champion, the Belmont
Stakes has been the venue for some of the most famous
moments in American racing.
More Belmont Stakes and Belmont Park Contenders
Belmont Stakes and Belmont Park Winners & Results
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