Established in 1905 in Elmont, New York, the Belmont Park is open for the Spring Meet, which takes place from late April to mid-July, and the Fall meet which is usually from mid-September to late October. The act that almost all major champions in the early 20th Century racing history have participated in one race or the other on the racecourse has earned it The Championship Track’ title.
The first Belmont Stakes competition here took place in 1867. Other notable races at the Belmont Park are the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Suburban Handicap and the Metropolitan Handicap. The Woodward Stakes has since moved to Saratoga Racecourse.
In the filly races, the Mother Goose Stakes as well as the Coaching Club American Oaks stages of the Triple Tiara series are some of the mainstays of the course. Previously, the Acorn Stakes was the third stage of the New York Filly Triple Crown after the first two. The Breeder’s Cup Championship has also been held at Belmont four times.
The Main Track, known as Big Sandy to the fans, runs 2.4km, making it the longest dirt track for thoroughbreds in North America. On its inner circumference are the Widener Turf Course and the Inner Turf Course, spanning about 2.1km and 1.9km respectively.
Belmont’s paddock area is centred by a white pine tree that is actually older than the track itself. It provides the shade to many fans and tourists who picnic there on Belmont Stakes Day. The pine has also been centred on the corporate logo of Belmont Park.
Belmont Park has been used as a location for scenes in movies such as Mighty Aphrodite, Melinda and Melinda, Gloria and St. Vincent. In the early 1900s, the Belmont Park was also host to a number of aviation tournaments and shows as well as musical acts like the Coca-Cola Sunset Series.