Is it a case of history repeating itself? Going into 1973, the sport of horse racing was in the middle of a funk. It had been 25 years since Citation won the last Triple Crown (winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes). During those years, seven horses had come into the Belmont with a shot at taking the prize. Alas, the mile and a half race, dubbed the "The Test of Champions," denied them all. Many thought no horse would ever join the elite stable of victors again.Then along came Secretariat. The chestnut colt that looked every bit the part of racing's new hero, had taken the Derby and the Preakness with record times and came into Belmont with high expectations and very low betting odds. Still, many feared getting their hopes up. "Everyone was hopeful," said racing fan Charles Darling, who hasn't missed a Belmont Stakes in 43 years. "But, in the back of your head, you never want to get too excited, just in case."Those fears were erased a world-record 2 minutes and 24 seconds later, as Secretariat demolished his competition by an unparalleled 31 length victory, giving horse racing the most dominant performance in its history.Today, 26 years since racing's greatest rivalry ended with Affirmed beating Alydar by a nose for the Triple Crown in 1978, the fans continue their vigil for the next big thing. In the last seven races, five horses have come to Elmont, New York, with stars in their eyes. All, including last year's feel-good gelding Funny Cide, have fallen to Belmont's extra quarter mile.Now, a new challenger emerges. Smarty Jones, horse racing's answer to Rocky Balboa, comes out of Philadelphia looking to end the longest Triple Crown Drought since Sir Barton first laid claim to the title in 1919. The little red colt, who nearly died last year after slamming his head into a metal bar, becomes the first Triple Crown seeker since Seattle Slew in 1977 to enter the final leg undefeated. The field of competition will be small; anywhere from six to nine horses. Of them, only Preakness runner-up Rock Hard Ten (who lost by 11-and-a-half lengths), The Cliff's Edge (Derby favorite who has recovered from throwing off two shoes on muddy Churchill Downs) and dark horse Royal Assault (who has yet to race Smarty) stand out as possible upset candidates. The race, which is scheduled for a 6:38 p.m. post time on Saturday, June 5, will be televised live on NBC.The New York Racing Association is expecting to shatter its largest crowd record for a Belmont, which stands as 103,222 when Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem stumbled at the start and finished eighth in 2002. "It's going to be the biggest day in New York racing history," said NYRA senior vice president Bill Nader, who is expecting a crowd of about 120,000 if the weather holds up. Even if it rains, as it did last year, the racetrack will be crowded; over 100,000 made it for last year's soaked finale.Admission gates will open at 8:30 a.m., with the day's first race set for noon. The Belmont Stakes will be the eleventh of 13 on the schedule. General admission is $2, clubhouse admission is $5 and seating areas vary in price. General parking is $5, preferred parking is $15. For more information, visit www.nyra.com or call 516-488-6000.The Long Island Railroad will be running frequent trains out of Penn Station, Woodside and Jamaica all day. For a complete schedule of trains, visit www.mta.info/lirr/index.html or call 717-217-LIRR. Come on out and maybe, just maybe, you'll witness a little history in the making.
Belmont Facts
n
The original Belmont Park opened on March 4, 1905. The man for whom it is named, banker August Belmont, had nothing to do with the naming of the town of Elmont.
n
The winner of the race is presented with a blanket of the Belmont's official flower, the white carnation.
n
A record crowd of 103,222 packed Belmont Park on June 8, 2002, to watch War Emblem run for the Triple Crown; he finished eighth, well behind longshot winner Sarava, who became the biggest long shot to win the race (70 to 1). A two-dollar bet on Sarava was worth $142.50.
n
The Belmont Stakes trophy is a Tiffany-made silver bowl, supported by three horses representing the three foundation thoroughbreds - Eclipse, Herod and Matchem. It was presented by the Belmont family as a perpetual award for the Stakes in 1926.
n
The fastest Belmont Stakes time belongs to Secretariat, who ran the mile and one-half distance at 2:24 in 1973. He also had the widest margin of victory at 31 lengths.
n
Betting favorites have won 59 of the previous 135 races (44 percent). The last odds-on favorite to win the Belmont was the last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed in 1978.
n
The official drink of the Stakes is the Belmont Breeze. The ingredients are: 1 1/2 ounces of a good American blended whiskey, 3/4 ounces Harvey's Bristol Cream, 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce of simple syrup, 1 1/2 ounces orange juice, 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice, 1 ounce 7-Up, 1 ounce club soda. Shake first six ingredients with ice, then top with 7-Up and club soda. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge. source: New York Racing Association
