The Belmont Stakes is the next and final race in the Triple Crown and takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY. The Belmont is the oldest of the triple crown races, having first been held in 1866, and is considered by some the most demanding, not only because it's the longest race at 1½ miles on a dirt track but because of the schedule. The Belmont is run three weeks after the Preakness and only five weeks after the Kentucky Derby - this year on Saturday the 11th of June. This is the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes and if you "do the math" you may be wondering what happened to two years. Well, the race has been held annually except for in 1911 and 1912, when racing was outlawed in New York State - bet you didn't know that!
If you watched the Preakness last week, you know that there will be no triple crown winner this year. Animal Kingdom won the Derby and came in second at the Preakness behind Shackleford. The Belmont Stakes will be an exciting race, in a beautiful park. When Peter and I went there last week, the park was nearly empty, allowing us to appreciate the perspective onlookers will have from every level, from the Trackside Apron to the third floor of the Grand Stand. One thing struck us though - Belmont feels small, and if it feels small when it's this empty, what will it feel like on race day with 100,000 spectators.
Photos and Slide Show @Claudia Ward
All photos taken with the iPhone and processed with HDR Pro
Music: Ashes by Thomas Newman - Soundtrack of Little Women
Thank you Ally, I'm going to seek out that book.
Posted by: Claudia | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 05:37 PM
I really love your horse shots- interesting to see the racetrack and seats empty.
Reminds me of reading Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley... a great horse read by an outstanding author.
your photos are beautiful.
Posted by: Ally de Groat | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 07:41 AM