Attending the Belmont Stakes: Everything you need to know about horse racing and its long history

The Belmont Stakes concludes the Triple Crown series each year in June. Horse racing has a long history behind it, as it is the oldest of the three races.

Horse racing causes a lot of talk in the sports world during Triple Crown season, with thousands of people heading to the track to catch a glimpse of the race in person. Those not going to the track can choose to place a bet on which horse (or horses) they think will cross the finish line first.

There have been many memorable performances in the long-running career, the most notable being Secretariat’s victory in 1973.

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Here’s a dive into the Belmont Stakes, its history, and the things to expect if you head into a race.

1. How many horses run in the Belmont Stakes?
2. Which horse ran the fastest Belmont Stakes ever?
3. Is the Belmont the longest horse race?
4. When is the Belmont Stakes?
5. Where is the Belmont Stakes?
6. When did the Belmont Stakes start?
7. Is there a dress code for the Belmont Stakes?

1. How many horses run in the Belmont Stakes?

A limit of 12 horses can run in the Belmont Stakes for safety reasons, according to Legal Sports Report. The number of horses that run each year is different, but very rarely there are 12. The number is usually less. A horse that has won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the first of three Triple Crown races, is guaranteed a berth in the Belmont Stakes.

2. Which horse ran the fastest Belmont Stakes of all time?

Secretariat set the record for the fastest Belmont Stakes time in 1973. He finished with a time of 2:24 and beat his rivals by 31 lengths. Secretariat still holds the record for fastest Belmont Stakes time today. The other top five are Easy Goer, who won in a time of 2:26 in 1989, AP Indy, who won in a time of 2:26.13 in 1992, Risen Star in 2:26.50 in 1988, and Point Given with 2:26.56 in 2001.

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Secretariat holds the records for fastest time during the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. (Jerry Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images)

Secretariat not only set the record for the Belmont Stakes, but also set (and still holds) the records for the other two Triple Crown races. He won the Kentucky Derby in a record time of 1:59 and the Preakness Stakes in a time of 1:53.

3. Is Belmont the longest horse race?

The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races. The entire Belmont race is 1 ½ miles or 12 furlongs in length. The Kentucky Derby is 1 ¼ miles or 10 furlongs. The Preakness is 1 3/16 miles or 9.5 furlongs.

4. When is the Belmont Stakes?

The Belmont Stakes is held on the first or second Saturday in June each year.

5. Where is the Belmont Stakes?

The Belmont Stakes takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, although this location was not always the site of the race. It had a few different locations, the first being in Jerome Park in the Bronx.

The Belmont Stakes is in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

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6. When did the Belmont Stakes start?

The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races. The race, named after financier August Belmont, according to the Belmont Stakes website, first took place in 1867 at Jerome Park. The horse Ruthless, a filly, was the first winner of the historic race. The Belmont Stakes did not find its current home at Belmont Park until 1905. There were a few years, from 1963 to 1968, when the Belmont was held at Aqueduct while Belmont Park was being rebuilt, according to the New York Racing Association.

7. Is there a dress code in the Belmont Stakes?

Even if you’ve never been to a horse race before, chances are you’ve seen the wacky outfits worn in the stands, including rather large and extremely detailed hats.

If you’re attending the Belmont for the first time, keep in mind that attendees wear fine attire, according to the New York Racing Association.

Many women opt for dresses, pants, or pantsuits, depending on the site, while men typically wear collared shirts and jackets. Some items of clothing you’ll want to steer clear of if you attend are tank tops, shorts, and jeans.

Expect to see fancy clothing at the Belmont Stakes, as well as bright floppy hats. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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You can also wear a fun and bright outdoor hat if you choose to complete the look.