56
BELMONT STAKES
Where?
Belmont Park
2150 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003
When?
Annually on the first Saturday in June.
Significance:
You cannot win horse racing’s Triple Crown without a final victory at the Belmont Stakes. When a horse wins the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, their next and only step is the famed 1.5 mile race at Belmont Park. The “Run for the Carnations,” named for the blanket of carnations draped around the winner’s neck, began in 1866 (with an interruption in 1911 and 1912 by short-lived anti-betting legislation) by Leonard Jerome, a stock market speculator. The name “Belmont” comes from August Belmont, who financed the inaugural event. With initial races held at Jerome Park and Morris Park, the race finally found a permanent home in 1905—Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Carnations are not the only prize for winning the Belmont Stakes. A silver bowl made by Louis Comfort Tiffany and donated by the Belmont family is given to the winner, a tradition that started in 1926. However, the biggest prize may be winning the elusive Triple Crown. As the final leg, Belmont has come to be known as the “Test of the Champion.” That test comes not only from the pressure of winning the coveted crown, but also the entire lap around the large Belmont main track. Three-year-olds lack the experience and ability to maintain a winning speed, making positioning and timing vital for victory.
Traditions at Belmont include elegant attire worn by the ladies and gentlemen attending the race, although it is not a requirement. In addition, “New York, New York” is sung by the audience following the call to the post. In 1997, that song replaced the longtime “Sidewalks of New York,” but continued a ritual that is also followed by the Kentucky Derby, “My Old Kentucky Home,” and the Preakness, “Maryland, My Maryland.”
Who attends?
New Yorkers and racing fans from all walks of life.
How to get there?
From Manhattan and Brooklyn, take the Long Island Expressway. From Queens, take Grand Central Parkway. From Staten Island, take the Verrazano Bridge to Belt Parkway. All points from there lead east to Cross Island Parkway and to Exit 26-D.
Parking gates open early around 8:15 A.M. on Belmont Stakes day. Admission gates open at 8:30 A.M. Courtesy Shuttle Bus service is available from some of the lots located further away. No valet parking available.
Mass Transit is definitely recommended because of the large crowds on Stakes day.
Trains:
For up to date information call the Long Island Rail Road at (718) 217-LIRR.
Subway:
Take the F train to 169th Street or 179th Street, then take the N6 or the Q2 bus to Belmont, or take the E train to Jamaica Center (Parsons Boulevard) and then take the Q110 bus (MTA Bus Company) to Belmont.
Bus:
N6 (MSBA Line) operates along Hempstead Turnpike between Hempstead, West Hempstead, Franklin Square, Elmont, Hollis, and Jamaica. Q110 and Q2 are available.
Tickets:
For primary ticket access information, consider:
www.nyra.com, (516) 488-6000 or (718) 641-4700.
You can also e-mail admpark@nyrainc. com for a Belmont Stakes Lottery application. Please be sure to provide your complete mailing address.
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comNote: Admission is included with all reserved seats and dining tickets.
Accommodations:
Garden City Hotel
45 Seventh Street
Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 747-3000
Fax: (516) 747-1414
Toll-Free: 1-800-547-0400
www.gardencityhotel.comNote: A nightclub is onsite, along with a pool, spa, salon, restaurants, and a lounge. 24-hour room service is available.
Floral Park Motor Lodge
Note: Free parking. Free newspaper every morning. Free continental breakfast.
Inn at Great Neck
Note: All rooms contain mini-bars with 24-hour room service available. Located two blocks from the Long Island Rail Road train to Manhattan.
Long Island Marriott
101 James Doolittle Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553
Phone: (516) 794-3800
Fax: (516) 794-5936
Toll-Free: 1-800-228-9210
www.marriott.comNote: Great hotel with a pool, spa, restaurant, and lounge.
Roslyn Claremont Hotel
1221 Old Northern Boulevard
Roslyn, NY 11576
Phone: (516) 625-2700
Fax: (516) 625-2731
Toll-Free: 1-800-626-9005
www.roslynclaremonthotel.comNote: European-style luxury accommodations, fitness club, restaurant, and lounge.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Garden City
821 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 705-9000
Fax: (516) 705-9100
www.lq.comNote: 24-hour business center, fitness center with a whirlpool, and complimentary continental breakfast.
Holiday Inn of Westbury
369 Old Country Road
Carle Place, NY 11514
Phone: (516) 997-5000
Fax: (516) 997-3623
Toll-Free: 1-866-259-5740
www.hiwestbury.comNote: Business and fitness centers, complimentary continental breakfast, and a free newspaper. Walking distance to the train station.
On-Site Hospitality:
The Garden Terrace Dining Room located on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse provides great a la carte selections and a buffet menu on race day. Elegant attire is preferred and appreciated.
Kids can enjoy the state-of-the-art playground and duck pond in the Backyard. Coolers may be brought to this area, but not in the park itself.
Concession stands at Belmont provide food and drink for all attendees.
Also remember in accordance with the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act smoking is not permitted in the building or in any seating or dining areas. Smoking is permitted in the backyard and apron areas.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.comPremiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.comDining:
Note: All restaurants listed are located on the same road as the racetrack and will be easy to find before or after the race.
El Cantinero
491 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 488-6798
Note: Ideal for the connoisseur of good Mexican cuisine.
Stop 20 Diner
1336 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 358-7142
Note: Longtime diner known for plentiful plates of food at reasonable prices.
Villa Mar Restaurant
481 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: (516) 326-7643
Note: Affordable American and Italian dishes are served piping hot, from burgers to chicken marsala.
Airports:
Long Island MacArthur (Islip) Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Ditmars Boulevard and 94th Street
Flushing, NY 11369
Phone: (718) 533-3400
www.panynj.govNewark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
North Avenue and Spring Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (973) 961-6000
www.panynj.gov
Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
If you plan on camping out in the grandstand picnic area, make sure you arrive early. Bring blankets to ensure that your spot is held. Crowds arrive quickly, so you want to be sure you have your area set. Prepare for a long day as the Belmont Stakes post time is approximately 6:40 P.M. Try and get as close to the main grandstand and clubhouse structure for easy access in and out. Coolers are restricted to the grandstand backyard area only. Patrons carrying coolers must enter the track at either the paddock or the west end grandstand admission gates. Coolers are not allowed through the clubhouse gate.
Best place to get up close:
Try and pick out some of those famous sketches on the wall that line some of the clubhouse corridors. There is so much history that has been made at this track and so many people who have been a part of it. See whom you know.
Best travel tip:
With 100,000 people rushing to beat the traffic, getting out of the parking lot is nothing short of a New York nightmare. Parking farther away and walking is your best bet for a quick exit. The time it takes to walk will be nowhere near the wait to get out of the main parking lots. The wait for trains on the LIRR can be excruciatingly long heading out of Belmont. There are many people heading back toward New York City.
Notable Quotes:
“Just like winning the world.”—PRINCE AHMED BIN SALMAN, owner of Point Given, the winner of the 133rd Belmont Stakes
“The Belmont Stakes is our biggest event. With the recent success of the Belmont, fueled by the run of Triple Crown hopefuls, we’ve been able to bring the Belmont Stakes and Belmont Park to a new audience. When people come out here for the first time, especially on a big day, they realize what a beautiful, magnificent venue it is and what a great day Belmont Stakes day is. The fact that it’s the best value in big-time sports, with a $5 admission price, really helps us.”—BILL NADER, New York Racing Association senior vice-president
Relevant Websites: