Saturday, June 7, 2008, marks the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont is distinguished from the other races in the Triple Crown in two significant ways: It is the oldest of the three races as well as the longest.

June 7th will see plenty of high-roller purses in Grade 1 and 2 stakes. The 140th running of the Belmont carries a $1 million purse. However, there is the $250,000 Grade 2 stakes in honor of legendary trainer, Woody Stephens, as well as the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap.

Some interesting Belmont facts:

• The first Belmont Stakes ever run, in 1867, was won by a filly. Her name was Ruthless.

• The length of the Belmont, 1-1/2 miles, is grueling. It is rare to find races of such a distance in America. However, the Belmont used to be even longer! It was 1-5/8 of a mile for several years. It has been set at the current distance since 1926.

• The original location for the Belmont Stakes was Jerome Park in the Bronx. In 1905, Belmont Park was built in Elmont, New York, and the Belmont Stakes has been held there ever since. The track is reputed to be the largest Thoroughbred racecourse in the world, with the biggest grandstand.

• Both the Park and the Belmont Stakes are named for August Belmont, Sr., who not only financed the track, but was a key figure in developing horse racing in New York.

• The legendary Man O’War has sired more Belmont Stakes winners than any other horse. August Belmont, Jr. himself bred Man O’War. The horse was named by Belmont's wife because August was enlisted in World War I at the time. However, after returning from the war, August sold his farm and Man O’War to Riddle Farm in a move that plagued him for years.

• The Belmont Stakes is the first American race to initiate the tradition of the post parade. Prior to it happening at the Belmont in 1880, the horses marched directly from paddock to starting line.

• Up until 1996, the song for the post parade was "Sidewalks of New York." From 1997 to the present, it has been "New York, New York."

• The winning horse’s garland will be made up of white carnations.

• The winning trophy is a silver bowl designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, donated by the Belmont Family in 1926.

• The fastest time ever in the Belmont was achieved by none other than Secretariat (his mile in the Belmont was even faster than his Derby mile!). Secretariat still holds the world record for fastest 1-1/2 mile on dirt. In fact, Secretariat achieved something race clockers never thought they'd see in the sport, something known as "negative fractions." Negative fractions means he ran each quarter of a mile faster than the one just completed. Secretariat’s 31-length finish ahead of the pack in 2:24 may well be one of racing’s most glorious and memorable moments, if not of all sports. His winning length distance remains a record unequaled in any Grade 1 stakes in America. You were the greatest, Big Red.

• Julie Krone is the first, and so far only, woman to win a Triple Crown race, when she rode Colonial Affair to the wire in 1993. Julie is now retired, but she won her first race at age 5!

If either Big Brown or Casino Drive wins, they will end Seattle Slew's claim to being the only undefeated horse, going in, to win the Triple Crown. Kent Desormeaux has been the jockey for both horses. He's said they're even. Casino Drive's dam (Better Than Honour) foaled the past two winners of the race, Jazil (colt) and Rags to Riches (filly).

Casino Drive is Kentucky-bred but raised and trained in Japan. Despite his obvious beauty, breeding, and Beyer speed figure, I can't help but see similarities between Big Brown and Big Red. The long torso, that thick neck with ever-alert ears and head, the amazing bursts of speed...it all seems uncannily similar. I don't believe he'll ever achieve the negative fractions of Secretariat. But there is something in his eye that says - 'I'm it. Watch me. I am something special.'

Whatever happens, I'll be watching, but my biggest concern and wish will be one thing. A safe trip for all.


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The Most Glorious Crown: The Story Of America's Triple Crown Thoroughbreds From Sir Barton To Affirmed

This book gets a solid 5 stars from me as well as other Amazon reviewers for its in-depth stories on all 11 Triple Crown winners to date. In the new edition, you even get a History Channel DVD documentary for free. Excellent summer reading.

Women of the Year: Ten Fillies who Achieved Horse Racing's Highest Honor

Written by the staff of the prestigious Blood Horse Magazine, these ten tales of fillies who achieved Horse of the Year honors makes for engaging reading. It’s always amazing when a filly can better a stallion or gelding several hundred pounds stronger and bigger than she. I enjoyed this book and think you will too.