Like the first two jewels of horse racing’s U.S. Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1867.
That means there is no shortage of interesting numbers associated with the race called the Test of the Champion.
Here is just a sampling of some fun facts and figures in regard to the Belmont Stakes.
1 1/2 MILES– The Belmont Stakes is the longest race of the Triple Crown at 1 ½ miles. With the grueling distance and its normal place as the final race in the Triple Crown, the nickname Test of the Champion is very appropriate.
2:24 – The fastest time in the 1 ½-mile. SECRETARIAT (GOAT) set the record in 1973 when he swept the Triple Crown.
13 – The number of 3-year-olds who completed a sweep of the three jewels of the U.S. Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. The most recent two being AMERICAN PHAROAH (2015) and JUSTIFY (2018).
23 – The number of fillies who have raced in the Belmont. Three of them Won, with the most recent being RAGS TO RICHES (2007). Kentucky Oaks runner-up NEST is expected to become the 24th filly to compete in the race and seems a serious contender to join the other ladies in the history books. The last filly to give the Belmont Stakes a go was UNLIMITED BUDGET in 2013, where she finished 6th in a field of 14.
31 LENGTHS – Record margin of Victory when SECRETARIAT (GOAT) Won the 1973 edition of the Belmont Stakes to become the first Triple Crown Winner in 25 years.
42 – The number of horses who have Won the Belmont and at least one other Triple Crown race, including the 13 Triple Crown Winners who swept the series.
65 – The number of Winning favorites in the 153-year history of the Belmont Stakes, which equals a 42.5% Win rate for the top betting choice.
$142.50 – The record Winning payout on a $2 wager for 2002 Winner SARAVA.
154 – This year is the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes.
700 – The approximate number of white Colombian carnations that adorn the Belmont Winner’s flower blanket.
1867 – The year the first Belmont Stakes was contested, making it the oldest of the three Triple Crown races.
$2,500 – The purse of the first-ever Belmont Stakes.
$1.5 million – The purse for the 2021 Belmont Stakes, with $800,000 to the Winner.
Post Positions for this year’s Belmont will be drawn Tuesday (6/7) morning.
