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June 10, 2000
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Date of Inception
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The first running of the Belmont Stakes in 1867 took place at Jerome Park. The Belmont is the oldest of the Triple Crown events, predating the Preakness by six years and the Kentucky Derby by eight.
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Flowers
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White Carnation:
The blanket of carnations worn by the Belmont Stakes winner takes 10 man hours to put together, as between 300-400 carnations are glued onto a green velveteen spread. The flowers are shipped in from either CA or Bogota, Colombia.
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Slogan
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TEST OF THE CHAMPION:
The Belmont is the last test to claim a jewel in the triple crown.
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Theme Song
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"New York, New York"
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Fashion
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Hats:
The most casual of the three races, the Belmont attracts a crowd more concerned with the horse race than the fashion statements.
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Beverages
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Belmont Breeze:
Created by Dale DeGroff, head bartender at Manhattan's Rainbow Room/Windows on the World, the cocktail is based on an old, Colonial recipe for whiskey punch: "One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak."
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Color Painting
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Painted Cast Irons:
A new Belmont tradition began in 1997. In the stand-ease area, where horses are saddled, large cast iron horses stand about 4 feet high with iron jockeys on them. At the conclusion of the Belmont, an artist paints the colors of the winning horse on the iron jockey. If it is a Triple Crown winner it is moved to a permanent position in the triple crown ring.
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Parties
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The Belmont Stakes Celebration:
The Belmont Charity Ball held at Meadowbrook Country Club is the pinnacle of pre-Belmont celebrations.
This year will also be the first Belmont Festival at Garden City. The showcase event will feature several musical groups and family entertainment positioned along Seventh Street, the city's main business district.
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How It Was Named
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Belmont:
August Belmont, a famous financier, was the original founder of organized races in the New York area. The property at Belmont Park was owned by August Belmont originally.
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Special Tradition
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Winners Photo Gallery:
On the 2nd floor of the Belmont clubhouse is the Belmont Room. The walls are lined with the photo finishes of past Belmont victors. The photographs date back to 1912.
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The Track
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Belmont Park:
Belmont Park is the largest track in the United States. It has three racing ovals - one grand 1 ½ mile main track and two generous turf courses.
Belmont Park opened in 1905. A symbol of the track is the tree located in the center of the paddock. The Belmont logo represents that tree.
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Trophy
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The Belmont Stakes Trophy:
The trophy is a Tiffany-made 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.
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