Belmont Stakes 2008

139th Belmont Stakes - June 9, 2008

Triple Crown Betting - The Belmont Stakes: Going the Distance

Set to run every June, the US $1 million Belmont Stakes is the longest and most demanding leg of the Triple Crown Series.

The 139th running of the Belmont Stakes and third jewel of the Triple Crown takes place on June 9, 2008 at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY.

Last year's Belmont Stakes winner, Jazil, dazzled horse racing fans with a come-from-behind victory, weaving his way through a tough 12-horse field and beating Bluegrass Cat by 1 1/4 lengths. Considering the horses that are vying for a position in this year's race, the 2008 Belmont Stakes promises to be just as exciting.

Winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes often make for some intense rematches between the horse racing's top contenders - a level of competition that makes for even greater viewing for horse racing fans in attendance or for those watching it on television.

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Location: Belmont Park in Elmont, NY
Track: 1.5 mile dirt track
Date: June 9, 2008
Televised on: ABC Sports, 4:00 p.m. ET

Outlook for the 2008 Belmont Stakes

The 2008 Belmont Stakes will undoubtedly go down in the history books - its champion joining such legendary horses as Seattle Slew, Man O'War, and Secretariat, who still holds the world record for the 1.5-mile race.

The third jewel in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes can make or break a Triple Crown champion.

For horse racing fans intent on following the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes can be the hardest race to handicap because of its longer track. The main thing to consider, then, is picking a horse that has proven it can go the distance.

The Belmont Stakes is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and geldings carrying a weight of 126 pounds (57 kg) and for fillies with a weight of 121 pounds (55 kg). The Belmont Stakes is also known as the "Run for the Carnations" because of the blanket of white carnations thrown over the winner's neck.

History of the Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes was first run on June 19, 1867, at the Jerome Park Race Course in New York. With its rare 1.5 mile distance and rather challenging three turns (as opposed to two), the Belmont Stakes has established itself as the ultimate test of championship stamina in this country.

In its early days, the Belmont Stakes was run at 1-5/8 miles through 1873, but from 1890 through 1926 the race dropped down to 1.5 miles and has been run at that distance ever since.

Man O'War heads the list of Belmont champion sires: American Flag won it in 1925, Crusader in 1926 and War Admiral in 1937, who also went on to win the Triple Crown.

Belmont Stakes Winners, 1867-2006

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Belmont Stakes Winners, 1867-2006

The Belmont Stakes Trophy

The Belmont Stakes trophy is a Tiffany-made silver bowl measuring 18 inches high, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. A silver figure of Fenian, winner of the Belmont Stakes in 1869, sits atop the cover of the bowl, and the bowl itself is supported by three horses representing the three foundation thoroughbreds: Eclipse, Herod and Matchem.

Presented by the Belmont family as an annual award for the Belmont Stakes in 1926, the Belmont Stakes trophy stays with the winning owner for a period of one year.

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