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Horse Racing - The Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes

The third leg of the throughbred horse racing's Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is run at a distance of 1.5 miles. It is the oldest of the Triple Crown races for three year old horses. The other two races that make up the Triple Crown are the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.The Belmont Stakes is held on the first Saturday that falls on or after June 5, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

The Belmont Stakes - History

Long Island, New York became the birthplace of horse racing in North America shortly after the region turned from Dutch to English rule in 1665. Constructed from 1903-05 at a cost of $2.5 million, Belmont Park, in Elmont, N.Y. was the area's most expensive track development to date. Named after August Belmont, the late financier father of the tracks founder, Belmont Park opened for racing on May 4, 1905. After nearly 60 years of racing, Belmont closed for renovations in 1963. Five years and $30 million worth of renovations later the "new" Belmont Park opened in time to celebrate the centennial running of the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont StakesThe Belmont Stakes was first run on June 19, 1867, at the Jerome Park race course, an oddly shaped, English-style track that required its runners to negotiate three turns instead of two because of a dip in the middle of the backstretch. A filly, Ruthless, won the first Belmont's $1,850 winners purse, outlasting DeCourcey by a head. The race has been run every since, with the exception of 1911 and '12, and the Belmont has established itself as the ultimate test of championship stamina in this country. Its 1-1/2-mile distance now has become a rarity in American dirt races.

The Belmont was even longer in its early days, contested at 1-5/8 miles through 1873. But from 1890 through 1926, the race dropped down to distances varying between 1-1/8 and 1-3/8 miles. The 1926 Belmont was run at 1-1/2 miles and was won by Crusader, a son of the legendary Man o' War, in a time of 2:32-1/5. The race has been run at that distance ever since.

The Belmont Stakes - Winners

 

Year

Winner

Time

Jockey

Trainer

Place

Show

1867
Ruthless (F)
3:05 J. Gilpatrick A.J. Minor DeCourcey Rivoli
1868
General Duke
3:02 Bobby Swim A. Thompson Northumberland Fanny Ludlow
1869
Fenian
3:04¼ C. Miller J. Pincus Glenelg Invercauld
1870
Kingfisher
2:59½ W. Dick R. Colston Foster Midday
1871
Harry Bassett
2:56 W. Miller D. McDaniel Stockwood By the Sea
1872
Joe Daniels
2:58¼ James Roe D. McDaniel Meteor Shylock
1873
Springbok
3:01¾ James Roe D. McDaniel Count d'Orsay Strachino
1874
Saxon
2:39½ G. Barbee W. Prior Grinstead Aaron Pennington
1875
Calvin
2:42¼ Bobby Swim A. Williams Aristides Milner
1876
Algerine
2:40½ Billy Donohue Major Doswell Fiddlesticks Barricade
1877
Cloverbrook
2:46 C. Holloway J. Walden Loiterer Baden-Baden
1878
Duke Of Magenta
2:43½ L. Hughes R.W. Walden Bramble Sparta
1879
Spendthrift
2:42¾ George Evans T. Puryear Monitor Jericho
1880
Grenada
2:47 L. Hughes R.W. Walden Ferncliffe Turenne
1881
Saunterer
2:47 T. Costello R.W. Walden Eole Baltic
1882
Forester
2:43 Jim McLaughlin L. Stuart Babcock Wyoming
1883
George Kinney
2:42½ Jim McLaughlin James Rowe Sr. Trombone Renegade
1884
Panique
2:42 Jim McLaughlin James Rowe Sr. Knight of Ellerslie Himalaya
1885
Tyrant
2:43 Paul Duffy W. Claypool St. Augustine Tecumseh
1886
Inspector B
2:41 Jim McLaughlin F. McCabe The Bard Linden
1887
Hanover
2:43½ Jim McLaughlin F. McCabe Oneko (2-horse race)
1888
Sir Dixon
2:40¼ Jim McLaughlin F. McCabe Prince Royal (2-horse race)
1889
Eric
2:47¼ W. Hayward J. Huggins Diablo Zephyrus
1890
Burlington
2:07¾ Pike Barnes A. Cooper Devotee Padishah
1891
Foxford
2:08¾ Ed Garrison M. Donavan Montana Laurestan
1892
Patron
2:12 W. Hayward L. Stuart Shellbark (2-horse race)
1893
Commanche
1:53¼ Willie Simms G. Hannon Dr. Rice Rainbow
1894
Henry Of Navarre
1:56½ Willie Simms B. McClelland Prig Assignee
1895
Belmar
2:11½ Fred Taral E. Feakes Counter Tenor Nanki Poo
1896
Hastings
2:24½ H. Griffin J.J. Hyland Handspring Hamilton II
1897
Scottish Chieftain
2:23¼ J. Scherrer M. Byrnes On Deck Octagon
1898
Bowling Brook
2:32 F. Littlefield R.W. Walden Previous Hamburg
1899
Jean Beraud
2:23 R. Clawson Sam Hildreth Half Time Glengar
1900
Ildrim
2:21¼ Nash Turner H.E. Leigh Petruchio Missionary
1901
Commando
2:21 H. Spencer James Rowe Sr. The Parader All Green
1902
Masterman
2:22 3/5 John Bullman J.J. Hyland Renald King Hanover
1903
Africander
2:21¾ John Bullman R. Miller Whorler Red Knight
1904
Delhi
2:06 3/5 George Odom James Rowe Sr. Graziallo Rapid Water
1905
Tanya (F)
2:08 E. Hildebrand J.W. Rogers Blandy Hot Shot
1906
Burgomaster
2:20 Lucien Lyne J.W. Rogers The Quail Accountant
1907
Peter Pan
N/A G. Mountain James Rowe Sr. Superman Frank Gill
1908
Colin
N/A Joe Notter James Rowe Sr. Fair Play King James
1909
Joe Madden
2:21 3/5 E. Dugan Sam Hildreth Wise Mason Donald MacDonald
1910
Sweep
2:22 James Butwell James Rowe Sr. Duke of Ormonde (2-horse race)
1911-12 NOT HELD
1913
Prince Eugene
2:18 Roscoe Troxler James Rowe Sr. Rock View Flying Fairy
1914
Luke Mcluke
2:20 Merritt Buxton J.F. Schorr Gainer Charlestonian
1915
The Finn
2:18 2/5 George Byrne E.W. Heffner Half Rock Pebbles
1916
Friar Rock
2:22 E. Haynes Sam Hildreth Spur Churchill
1917
Hourless
2:17 4/5 James Butwell Sam Hildreth Skeptic Wonderful
1918
Johren
2:20 2/5 Frank Robinson A. Simons War Cloud Cum Sah
1919
Sir Barton
2:17 2/5 John Loftus H. Guy Bedwell Sweep On Natural Bridge
1920
Man O' War
2:14 1/5 Clarence Kummer L. Feustel Donnacona (2-horse race)
1921
Grey Lag
2:16 4/5 Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Sporting Blood Leonardo II
1922
Pillory
2:18 4/5 C.H. Miller T.J. Healey Snob II Hea
1923
Zev
2:19 Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Chickvale Rialto
1924
Mad Play
2:18 4/5 Earl Sande Sam Hildreth Mr. Mutt Modest
1925
American Flag
2:16 4/5 Albert Johnson G.R. Tompkins Dangerous Swope
1926
Crusader
2:32 1/5 Albert Johnson George Conway Espino Haste
1927
Chance Shot
2:32 2/5 Earl Sande Pete Coyne Bois de Rose Flambino
1928
Vito
2:33 1/5 Clarence Kummer Max Hirsch Genie Diavolo
1929
Blue Larkspur
2:32 4/5 Mack Garner C. Hastings African Jack High
1930
Gallant Fox
2:31 3/5 Earl Sande Jim Fitzsimmons Whichone Questionnaire
1931
Twenty Grand
2:29 3/5 Charley Kurtsinger James Rowe Jr. Sun Meadow Jamestown
1932
Faireno
2:32 4/5 Tom Malley Jim Fitzsimmons Osculator Flag Pole
1933
Hurryoff
2:32 3/5 Mack Garner H. McDaniel Nimbus Union
1934
Peace Chance
2:29 1/5 W.D. Wright Pete Coyne High Quest Good Goods
1935
Omaha
2:30 3/5 Willie Saunders Jim Fitzsimmons Firethorn Rosemont
1936
Granville
2:30 James Stout Jim Fitzsimmons Mr. Bones Hollyrood
1937
War Admiral
2:28 3/5 Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Sceneshifter Vamoose
1938
Pasteurized
2:29 2/5 James Stout George Odom Dauber Cravat
1939
Johnstown
2:29 3/5 James Stout Jim Fitzsimmons Belay Gilded Knight
1940
Bimelech
2:29 3/5 Fred Smith Bill Hurley Your Chance Andy K.
1941
Whirlaway
2:31 Eddie Arcaro Ben Jones Robert Morris Yankee Chance
1942
Shut Out
2:29 1/5 Eddie Arcaro John Gaver Alsab Lochinvar
1943
Count Fleet
2:28 1/5 Johnny Longden Don Cameron Fairy Manhurst Deseronto
1944
Bounding Home
2:32 1/5 G.L. Smith Matt Brady Pensive Bull Dandy
1945
Pavot
2:30 1/5 Eddie Arcaro Oscar White Wildlife Jeep
1946
Assault
2:30 4/5 Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch Natchez Cable
1947
Phalanx
2:29 2/5 R. Donoso Syl Veitch Tide Rips Tailspin
1948
Citation
2:28 1/5 Eddie Arcaro Jimmy Jones Better Self Escadru
1949
Capot
2:30 1/5 Ted Atkinson John Gaver Ponder Palestinian
1950
Middleground
2:28 3/5 William Boland Max Hirsch Lights Up Mr. Trouble
1951
Counterpoint
2:29 David Gorman Syl Veitch Battlefield Battle Morn
1952
One Count
2:30 1/5 Eddie Arcaro Oscar White Blue Man Armageddon
1953
Native Dancer
2:28 3/5 Eric Guerin Bill Winfrey Jamie K. Royal Bay Gem
1954
High Gun
2:30 4/5 Eric Guerin Max Hirsch Fisherman Limelight
1955
Nashua
2:29 Eddie Arcaro Jim Fitzsimmons Blazing Count Portersville
1956
Needles
2:29 4/5 David Erb Hugh Fontaine Career Boy Fabius
1957
Gallant Man
2:26 3/5 Bill Shoemaker John Nerud Inside Tract Bold Ruler
1958
Cavan
2:30 1/5 Pete Anderson Tom Barry Tim Tam Flamingo
1959
Sword Dancer
2:28 2/5 Bill Shoemaker Elliott Burch Bagdad Royal Orbit
1960
Celtic Ash
2:29 1/5 Bill Hartack Tom Barry Venetian Way Disperse
1961
Sherluck
2:29 1/5 Braulio Baeza Harold Young Globemaster Guadalcanal
1962
Jaipur
2:28 4/5 Bill Shoemaker B. Mulholland Admiral's Voyage Crimson Satan
1963
Chateaugay
2:30 1/5 Braulio Baeza James Conway Candy Spots Choker
1964
Quadrangle
2:28 2/5 Manuel Ycaza Elliott Burch Roman Brother Northern Dancer
1965
Hail To All
2:28 2/5 John Sellers Eddie Yowell Tom Rolfe First Family
1966
Amberoid
2:29 3/5 William Boland Lucien Laurin Buffle Advocator
1967
Damascus
2:28 4/5 Bill Shoemaker F.Y. Whiteley Jr. Cool Reception Gentleman James
1968
Stage Door Johnny
2:27 1/5 Gus Gustines John Gaver Forward Pass Call Me Prince
1969
Arts And Letters
2:28 4/5 Braulio Baeza Elliott Burch Majestic Prince Dike
1970
High Echelon
2:34 John Rotz John Jacobs Needles N Pens Naskra
1971
Pass Catcher
2:30 2/5 Walter Blum Eddie Yowell Jim French Bold Reason
1972
Riva Ridge
2:28 Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Ruritania Cloudy Dawn
1973
Secretariat
2:24 Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Twice A Prince My Gallant
1974
Little Current
2:29 1/5 Miguel Rivera Lou Rondinello Jolly Johu Cannonade
1975
Avatar
2:28 1/5 Bill Shoemaker Tommy Doyle Foolish Pleasure Master Derby
1976
Bold Forbes
2:29 Angel Cordero Jr. Laz Barrera McKenzie Bridge Great Contractor
1977
Seattle Slew
2:29 3/5 Jean Cruguet Billy Turner Run Dusty Run Sanhedrin
1978
Affirmed
2:26 4/5 Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Alydar Darby Creek Road
1979
Coastal
2:28 3/5 Ruben Hernandez David Whiteley Golden Act Spectacular Bid
1980
Temperence Hill
2:29 4/5 Eddie Maple Joseph Cantey Genuine Risk Rockhill Native
1981
Summing
2:29 George Martens Luis Barerra Highland Blade Pleasant Colony
1982
Conquistador Cielo
2:28 1/5 Laffit Pincay Jr. Woody Stephens Gato Del Sol Illuminate
1983
Caveat
2:27 4/5 Laffit Pincay Jr. Woody Stephens Slew o' Gold Barberstown
1984
Swale
2:27 1/5 Laffit Pincay Jr. Woody Stephens Pine Circle Morning Bob
1985
Creme Fraiche
2:27.00 Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Stephan's Odyssey Chief's Crown
1986
Danzig Connection
2:29.80 Chris McCarron Woody Stephens Johns Treasure Ferdinand
1987
Bet Twice
2:28.20 Craig Perret Jimmy Croll Cryptoclearance Gulch
1988
Risen Star
2:26.40 E. Delahoussaye Louie Roussel III Kingpost Brian's Time
1989
Easy Goer
2:26.00 Pat Day Shug McGaughey Sunday Silence Le Voyageur
1990
Go And Go
2:27.20 Michael Kinane Dermot Weld Thirty Six Red Baron de Vaux
1991
Hansel
2:28.00 Jerry Bailey Frank Brothers Strike the Gold Mane Minister
1992
A.P. Indy
2:26.13 E. Delahoussaye Neil Drysdale My Memoirs Pine Bluff
1993
Colonial Affair
2:29.80 Julie Krone Scotty Schulhofer Kissin Kris Wild Gale
1994
Tabasco Cat
2:26.80 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Go For Gin Strodes Creek
1995
Thunder Gulch
2:32 Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Star Standard Citadeed
1996
Editor's Note
2:28.80 Rene Douglas D. Wayne Lukas Skip Away My Flag
1997
Touch Gold
2:28.80 Chris McCarron David Hofmans Silver Charm Free House
1998
Victory Gallop
2:29 Gary Stevens Elliott Walden Real Quiet Thomas Jo
1999
Lemon Drop Kid
2:27.80 Jose Santos Scotty Schulhofer Vision and Verse Charismatic
2000
Commendable
2:31.20 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Aptitude Unshaded
2001
Point Given
2:26.80 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert A. P. Valentine Monarchos
2002
Sarava
2:29.71 Edgar Prado Ken McPeek Medaglia d'Oro Sunday Break
2003
Empire Maker
2:28.26 Jerry Bailey Bobby Frankel Ten Most Wanted Funny Cide
2004 Birdstone 2:27.50 Edgar Prado Nick Zito Smarty Jones Royal Assault
2005 Afleet Alex 2:28 4/5 Jeremy Rose Tim Ritchey Andromeda's Hero Nolan's Cat
2006 Jazil 2:27 4/5 Fernando Jara Kiaran McLaughlin Bluegrass Cat Sunriver
2007 Rags to Riches (F) 2:28.74 John Velazquez Todd Pletcher Curlin Tiago
2008 Da'Tara 2:29.65 Alan Garcia Nick Zito Denis of Cork Anak Nakal
Ready's Echo
2009 Summer Bird 2:27.54 Kent Desormeaux Tim Ice Dunkirk Mine That Bird
2010 Drosselmeyer 2:31.57 Mike Smith William Mott Fly Down First Dude
2011 Ruler On Ice 2:30.88 Jose Valdivia Jr. Kelly Breen Stay Thirsty Brilliant Speed
2012 Union Rags 2:30.42 John Velazquez Michael Matz Paynter Atgun
2013 Palace Malice 2:30.70 Mike Smith Todd Pletcher Oxbow Orb
2014 Tonalist 2:28.52 Joel Rosario Christophe Clement Commissioner Medal Count
2015 American Pharoah 2:26.65 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Frosted Keen Ice
2016 Creator 2:28.51 Irad Ortiz Jr. Steve Asmussen Destin Lani
2017 Tapwrit 2:30.02 José Ortiz Todd Pletcher Irish War Cry Patch
2018 Justify 2:28.18 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Gronkowski Hofburg
2019 Sir Winston 2:28.30 Joel Rosario Mark E. Casse Tacitus Joevia
2020 Tiz the Law 1:46.53** Manny Franco Barclay Tagg Dr Post Max Player
2021 Essential Quality 2:27.11 Luis Saez Brad H. Cox Hot Rod Charlie Rombauer
2022 Mo Donegal 2:28.28 Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Nest (Mare) Skippylongstocking
2023 Arcangelo 2:29.23 Javier Castellano Jena M. Antonucci Forte Tapit Trice
2024 Dornoch 2:01.64*** Luis Saez Danny Gargan Mindframe Sierra Leone
             

**Race shortened to 1 1/8 miles due to Covid pandemic
***Race run at Saratoga Race Track at 1 1/8 miles.