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There’s excitement in the air as we race towards an action-packed summer of sport that offers something for everyone. If soccer is your thing, the Euro 2024 from Germany will keep you glued to the edge of your seat between June and July. If you’re more of an all-rounder, 2024 is an Olympic Games year, with Paris, France, set to put on a show. There’s also Wimbledon, The Open, the British Grand Prix, and lots more. We can’t wait to get started.
Lovers of horse racing enjoyed a quickfire double-header from the United Kingdom. The Cheltenham Festival from Prestbury Park provided four days of high-class thoroughbred action before attention turned to the Grand National at Aintree. The great thing about the racing schedule is there’s always a big event just around the corner as the flat season gathers pace.
The fixture now dominating the thinking of racing enthusiasts is the Belmont Stakes from Elmont, New York. The popular race is over 150 years old and has provided us with some memorable renewals over the years. Who wins this season? You can pick your favorite and bet on Belmont Stakes online using your laptop or smartphone. But how do you find the winner in such a competitive field? Keep reading as we bring readers fully up to speed.
Best of the best
The Belmont Stakes is a Grade I race contested over 12 furlongs on the dirt of Belmont Park. It’s open to three-year-olds and offers a handsome prize to the winner, ensuring a talented and exciting field annually. The list of winners reads like a who’s who of world horse racing, with the best American racers facing the cream of the crop from overseas.
Team USA has dominated over the years, with the previous foreign winner being Canadian representative Victory Gallop in 1998, which was the first since Ireland’s Go and Go in 1990. Should you back a native horse this year and which runner gives followers the best chance of finding the winner? There is no guaranteed way to find the winner of the Belmont Stakes, but there are some things you can do to improve your chances.
Horse racing bettors often study the stats, analyzing past winners, stables with success at this level, jockeys, owners, and more. Dig deep into the past results, and you’ll often find stats and trends that lead you to a strong prediction. With that in mind, we reflect on some of the more memorable winners of this race over the years. Keep reading as we take you down memory lane, highlighting the best horses ever to win the Belmont Stakes.
Secretariat (1973)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Secretariat’s victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes is perhaps the most iconic moment in the history of the sport.
Dubbed “Big Red” for his striking chestnut coat and imposing stature, Secretariat entered the Belmont Stakes following dominant wins in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. In front of a crowd of over 67,000 spectators, Secretariat delivered a performance for the ages, demolishing the competition with a breathtaking display of speed and stamina. As he thundered down the homestretch, Secretariat pulled away from his rivals, widening his lead with every stride.
In a record-breaking performance that still stands today, Secretariat crossed the finish line 31 lengths ahead of his closest competitor, completing the mile-and-a-half race in a staggering 2 minutes and 24 seconds. His victory in the Belmont Stakes secured him the Triple Crown, making him the first horse in 25 years to achieve the prestigious feat. Secretariat’s dominance on the racetrack and his record-setting performance in the Belmont Stakes has solidified his place as a true legend of the sport.
Affirmed (1978)
Affirmed’s victory in the 1978 Belmont Stakes marked the culmination of one of the greatest rivalries in horse racing history. Throughout the 1970s, Affirmed and his chief rival, Alydar, engaged in a series of epic battles on the racetrack, captivating fans with their fierce competition and sheer determination.
In the Belmont Stakes, Affirmed and Alydar faced off for the third time in the Triple Crown series, with Affirmed having narrowly defeated Alydar in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. In front of a crowd of over 65,000 spectators, Affirmed and Alydar once again locked horns in a thrilling duel that would be remembered for generations to come. Down the homestretch, Alydar surged alongside Affirmed, matching him stride for stride as they raced towards the finish line.
In a heart-stopping finish, Affirmed held off Alydar’s relentless challenge to win the Belmont Stakes by a mere head, becoming the 11th horse in history to capture the Triple Crown. Affirmed’s victory in the Belmont Stakes cemented his status as one of the greatest racehorses of all time and added another chapter to his legendary rivalry with Alydar.
American Pharoah (2015)
After a 37-year drought without a Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah electrified the racing world with his historic victory in the 2015 Belmont Stakes. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah arrived at Belmont Park as the heavy favorite, having already captured victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
In front of a crowd of over 90,000 spectators, American Pharoah seized control of the race from the start, setting a moderate pace as he glided effortlessly around the sweeping turns of Belmont Park’s mile-and-a-half oval. As they turned for home, American Pharoah unleashed a powerful burst of speed, pulling away from his rivals with every stride. With the crowd roaring in approval, American Pharoah crossed the finish line in front by five and a half lengths, ending decades of anticipation and becoming the 12th horse in history to win the Triple Crown.
His victory in the Belmont Stakes immortalized him as a true champion and reignited the nation’s passion for horse racing. Which name will join him on the winner’s list this year? You can study the form, check the betting odds, and predict the result.
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