Horse Racing
June 2015Belmont Stakes
The third, and final leg, of the US Triple Crown (Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby), takes place in June. It is one of the most popular racing events in the US, regularly reaching television audiences of over 20 million.
The race, which dates back to 1868, is run anti-clockwise, in the American tradition. It has been located at Belmont Park, in Elmont, Long Island, since 1905. The race is 1.5 miles (2.4 km), and is open to three-year-olds. It is called the ‘Test of Champions’ and, because it is such a long race, is seen as a challenge for most three-year-olds, who are not used to the distance and lack experience.
It is also called the ‘Run for the Carnations’ because a blanket of white carnations is draped on the winning horse. The winning trainer receives a Tiffany silver trophy, first presented in 1896.
