1. The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. It was first run in 1867 at Jerome Park.
2. A filly named Ruthless won the very first Belmont Stakes. Only two other fillies have won the race (Tanya in 1905 and Rags to Riches in 2007).
3. The Belmont Stakes was not held at Belmont Park until the track first opened its doors in 1905. The race was previously held at Jerome Park and Morris Park Racecourse.
4. Anti-gambling legislation closed Belmont Park in 1911 and 1912 so the race was not run for those two years.
5. Aqueduct Racetrack held the Belmont Stakes from 1963-1967 while Belmont Park was being renovated.
6. Secretariat’s 31-length romp in the 1973 Belmont Stakes in just 2:24 is the fastest Belmont Stakes ever run and is an American record for 1 ½ miles.
7. The Belmont Stakes was not always run at an 1 ½ mile. It was first run at 1 mile and 5 furlongs (~1.6 miles), then 1.25 miles, then 1 mile and 1 furlong, (1.125 miles), and at 1 mile and 3 furlongs (~1.375 miles).
8. In 2015, the crowd at Belmont Park was limited to 90,000 people for the very first time.
9. The Belmont Stakes is nicknamed “The Test of the Champion” and “The Run for the Carnations”.
10. Since 1900, the Belmont Stakes has been run at a level weight of 126. Fillies are given a five pound allowance.
Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes was a record breaking. Watch it here.
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