The Stakes are High at the 2008 Belmont Stakes - Be There and Watch all the Action Live!
The final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is not only the longest of the three races at one and a half miles but also the oldest. The grueling distance can make or break a horse and is one of the truest tests of stamina in racing. As the 2008 Belmont Stakes draws close, horses and breeders are gearing up to prove themselves and fans are struggling to get tickets to this one-of-a-kind horse racing event.
The Belmont Stakes is a prestigious American Grade I stakes race held yearly in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race is the third leg of the Triple Crown, following five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The Belmont Stakes is called the ‘Run for the Carnations’ because of the blanket of white carnations that are draped over the winner’s neck.
The inaugural running of the Belmont Stakes was in 1867 at Jerome Park Racecourse. It was named after prominent banker and Jockey Club President August Belmont. Only four horses went to post in the first Belmont and the winner was a filly named Ruthless. Since then the Belmont has been responsible for quite a few firsts in racing.
Easily the most cavernous and fan-comfortable of the Triple Crown host sites, Belmont’s spaciousness provides relative comfort even in the presence of 80,000 plus fans. When the Triple Crown is on the line (as it has been in six of the last 10 years), excitement and headcount rises dramatically, spawned by the chance to see history in the making. Expansive paddock area provides much green, park-like area with tables to those quick enough to claim.
Trophy and purse
The Belmont Stakes trophy, given since 1926, is a silver bowl with a cover. It stands 18 inches high, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. Atop the cover is a silver figure of Fenian, winner of the third running of the Belmont Stakes in 1869. The bowl is supported by three horses representing the three-foundation thoroughbreds - Eclipse, Herod, and Matchem. The purse for the Belmont Stakes is US$1 million.
The Belmont Breeze
The Belmont Breeze has been the ‘traditional’ drink of the Belmont Stakes since it was created by Dale DeGroff in 1997. This drink contains Seagram’s 7, Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry, lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, 7-Up and a simple syrup of sugar and water. The drink got its very own commemorative glass on June 7, 2003.
2008 Belmont Stakes tickets at TICKETFINDER.com™
The next ‘Run for the Carnations’ will take place on June 7, 2008 and TICKETFINDER.com™ has the tickets to get you there. Will a single horse and jockey take the Triple Crown? The best way to find out is to see the races live. Get your 2008 Belmont Stakes tickets now and see the 2008 Belmont Stakes in person! You can also view Belmont Stakes schedules and Belmont Park Raceway seating charts.
In addition to Belmont Stakes 2008 tickets, TICKETFINDER.com™ also offers all sports tickets, theater tickets and concert tickets. When it comes to tickets, TICKETFINDER.com™ is a pro out to fulfill all your ticketing needs. All tickets come with free shipping and lowest price guarantee options.
June 7th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
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