The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the
Triple Crown, is held
five weeks after the
Kentucky Derby, at
Belmont Park
in Elmont, New York. It is a 1 and 1/2 mile
thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses.
Because of its length, and because it is the last part
of the Triple Crown, it is sometimes called the "Test of
Champions." Most three-year-olds are unaccustomed
to the distance, and lack the ability to maintain a
winning speed for so long.
The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867; since 1905 it
has been held at the
Belmont Park
Racetrack in Elmont, New York.
The race distance has varied: from 1867 until 1873, it
was 1 5/8 miles. In 1874 the distance was reduced
to 1 1/2 miles, and from 1890 to 1892, and in 1895, the
distance was 1 1/4 miles. From 1896 until 1925,
the distance was increased to the original 1 5/8 miles.
In 1926, the race distance was set at the present 1 1/2
miles.
The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three
U.S. Triple Crown
events. The Belmont predates the
Preakness Stakes by
six years and the
Kentucky Derby by eight years. The first
running of the Belmont Stakes was in 1867 at Jerome
Park. Not only is the Belmont Stakes the oldest
Triple Crown race,
but it is the fourth oldest horse race overall in North
America.
Secretariat's 1973 Belmont victory set a record at 2:24
not only for the race, but for the mile and a half on
dirt. The record still stands.
Year -
Winner
1867 - Ruthless
1868 - General Duke
1869 - Fenian
1870 - Kingfisher
1871 - Harry Bassett
1872 - Joe Daniels
1873 - Springbok
1874 - Saxon
1875 - Calvin
1876 - Algerine
1877 - Cloverbrook
1878 - Duke of Magenta
1879 - Spendthrift
1880 - Grenada
1881 - Saunterer
1882 - Forester
1883 - George Kinney
1884 - Panique
1885 - Tyrant
1886 - Inspector B.
1887 - Hanover
1888 - Sir Dixon
1889 - Eric
1890 - Burlington
1891 - Foxford
1892 - Patron
1893 - Comanche
1894 - Henry of Navarre
1895 - Belmar
1896 - Hastings
1897 - Scottish Chieftain
1898 - Bowling Brook
1899 - Jean Bereaud
1900 - Ildrim
1901 - Commando
1902 - Masterman
1903 - Africander
1904 - Delhi
1905 - Tanya
1906 - Burgomaster
1907 - Peter Pan
1908 - Colin
1909 - Joe Madden
1910 - Sweep
1913 - Prince Eugene
1914 - Luke McLuke
1915 - The Finn
1916 - Friar Rock
1917 - Hourless
1918 - Johren
1919 - Sir Barton*
1920 - Man o' War
1921 - Grey Lag
1922 - Pillory
1923 - Zev
1924 - Mad Play
1925 - American Flag
1926 - Crusader
1927 - Chance Shot
1928 - Vito
1929 - Blue Larkspur
1930 - Gallant Fox*
1931 - Twenty Grand
1932 - Faireno
1933 - Hurryoff
1934 - Peace Chance
1935 - Omaha*
1936 - Granville
1937 - War Admiral*
1938 - Pasteurized
1939 - Johnstown
1940 - Bimelech
1941 - Whirlaway*
1942 - Shut Out
1943 - Count Fleet*
1944 - Bounding Home
1945 - Pavot
1946 - Assault*
1947 - Phalanx
1948 - Citation*
1949 - Capot
1950 - Middleground
1951 - Counterpoint
1952 - One Count
1953 - Native Dancer
1954 - High Gun
1955 - Nashua
1956 - Needles
1957 - Gallant Man
1958 - Cavan
1959 - Sword Dancer
1960 - Celtic Ash
1961 - Sherluck
1962 - Jaipur
1963 - Chateaugay
1964 - Quadrangle
1965 - Hail to All
1966 - Amberoid
1967 - Damascus
1968 - Stage Door Johnny
1969 - Arts and Letters
1970 - High Echelon
1971 - Pass Catcher
1972 - R iva Ridge
1973 -
Secretariat*
1974 - Little Current
1975 - Avatar
1976 - Bold Forbes
1977 -
Seattle Slew*
1978 - Affirmed*
1979 - Coastal
1980 - Temperence Hill
1981 - Summing
1982 - Conquistador Cielo
1983 - Caveat
1984 - Swale
1985 - Creme Fraiche
1986 - Danzig Connection
1987 - Bet Twice
1988 - Risen Star
1989 - Easy Goer
1990 - Go and Go
1991 - Hansel
1992 - A.P. Indy
1993 - Colonial Affair
1994 - Tabasco Cat
1995 - Thunder Gulch
1996 - Editor's Note
1997 - Touch Gold
1998 - Victory Gallop
1999 - Lemon Drop Kid
2000 - Commendable
2001 - Point Given
2002 - Sarava
* designates a Triple Crown Winner
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