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View Full Version : Belmont Stakes - worth the trip?


keithw84
05-19-2018, 09:37 PM
I live one Nebraska and am debating making the trip to Belmont. Have never been to Belmont Park before. Thoughts or suggestions from those who have been?

Fightingirish51195
05-19-2018, 09:39 PM
Definitely worth the trip. Hard to find a better card than that day.

GMB@BP
05-19-2018, 09:41 PM
I am debating it, once in a lifetime opportunity, but it would be very hectic.

dilanesp
05-19-2018, 09:42 PM
I was there in 1997. A lot of fun.

kingfin66
05-19-2018, 09:46 PM
I have been twice; for Big Brown and I'll Have Another. Both ended in disappointment in terms of the Triple Crown, but the trips were still fun and well worth the journey. Go to Belmont on the Friday before the Belmont too if you can. It gives you a better opportunity to check out the track. Have fun!

I would go again this year, but I already have a trip to Calgary scheduled to check out a Stampeders game.

clicknow
05-19-2018, 10:24 PM
I used to want to do that stuff, now, the ARK Derby with 65,000+ people is enough for me. I just can't take crowds anymore. I love going to live racing on a quiet Thursday or Sunday....or even Fri before people get out of work.

Plus, all the drunks on the big weekends can be obnoxious.

Tom
05-19-2018, 10:47 PM
Plus, all the drunks on the big weekends can be obnoxious.

Hopefully, all those nuts in te mud today will NOT be the next wave of new racing fans! :eek:

clicknow
05-20-2018, 12:08 AM
Hopefully, all those nuts in te mud today will NOT be the next wave of new racing fans! :eek:

Generally, the crowds at OP are polite for the most part. And I'm not against people having a good time, but when there are a lot of people drinking in a crowd, you still get bumped into a lot, people spill beer on (and into) your shoes, step on you, don't notice when you're behind them when they let go of a door.....not to mention very messy restrooms......stuff like that...you know, the typical "poor judgement" "bad depth perception" stuff that happens with alcohol.

What unnerves me is seeing a sea of vehicles in the parking lots, and all over in the neighborhoods as well (from overflow) and all these people are getting in their cars afterwards and driving.......many live an hour or more away--- and by that time it is getting dark, too.

We are talking a % of 65,000 people.

Rex Phinney
05-20-2018, 02:28 AM
I went once. I would not give it as high a mark as the others here have.

It’s one of those deals where I’m happy I did it once, but I wouldn’t go again with a gun to my head.

Bennie
05-20-2018, 08:29 AM
It is one of those things on my bucket list to attend all 3 triple crown races one year but being from Jersey if I attended Belmont I would use public transportation or stay with my wife's cousins for a couple days because they live walking distance away. I think every true racing fan should try to attend a least one Triple Crown race in their life. It is a memory that you will have forever, good or bad.

Grits
05-20-2018, 10:26 AM
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/NYRA_caps_Belmont_Stakes_attendance_for_Justifys_T rip (https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/NYRA_caps_Belmont_Stakes_attendance_for_Justifys_T riple_Crown_try_123)
le_Crown_try_123 (https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/NYRA_caps_Belmont_Stakes_attendance_for_Justifys_T riple_Crown_try_123)

Chris Kay, immediately after the Preakness, announced a cap on Belmont Day of 90K. This has been done in recent years with a Triple Crown on the line.

I've attended the last 14 Belmont Stakes. Capping attendance has made the day much better. So, that said, YES, it is well worth the trip!! It's the best day of racing on the calendar and you will enjoy your visit. :)

Lemon Drop Husker
05-20-2018, 12:30 PM
I live one Nebraska and am debating making the trip to Belmont. Have never been to Belmont Park before. Thoughts or suggestions from those who have been?


Good to know you live in God's country. :headbanger:;)


I'd love to go to the Belmont at least once in my lifetime. Go if you have the chance and interest IMO.



I went to the Kentucky Derby twice in 2008 and 2009. Learned a crap ton about where and how to purchase tickets for such events and have attended the Breeders Cup every year since.



While I'll never go back to the Kentucky Derby due to the massive crowds and flat out stupidity of most, I'd still tell anyone that they should go to simply experience the madness and massiveness of the event.



Go.

Thomas Roulston
05-20-2018, 06:23 PM
I have been twice; for Big Brown and I'll Have Another.


Then please stay away from this year's Belmont. You will surely jinx Justify! :D

clicknow
05-20-2018, 06:32 PM
Then please stay away from this year's Belmont. You will surely jinx Justify! :D

:lol:

kingfin66
05-21-2018, 10:23 PM
No doubt! I stayed away and look how well American Pharoah did.

PaceAdvantage
05-22-2018, 12:03 AM
I went to every Belmont Stakes from Risen Star through American Pharoah.

Didn't go the last two years...

There's a 50/50 chance I'll be there this year, believe it or not...if I do go, I won't have seats, which will make it way more fun...:pound::pound::pound:

I had a GREAT TIME every single time I went...I would highly recommend it, especially if you have reserved seats.

Tom
05-22-2018, 03:50 PM
I certainly hope TheGarMan is planning on attending the Belmont this year! :lol:

parlay
05-22-2018, 08:42 PM
i'm hoping to go this year. i went 2 years ago to participate in the handicapping tourney. There was no triple crown on the line and the place was empty, it made me very sad. Belmont is a huge facility and with 20k people can still feel empty. This year should be good with the crown on the line, go for it.

TheGarMan
05-22-2018, 11:13 PM
I certainly hope TheGarMan is planning on attending the Belmont this year! :lol:

Not this year Tom... :D

We went in 2015 I believe (The year Tonalist beat Chrome and Commissioner?)

Nice place, great set up. Awesome day of racing.

Although we sat in traffic for hours after the race, and then I got us lost in Manhattan on the way home. (Managed to get the family home to Pennsylvania by sun rise the next morning) :lol:

Always an adventure!

dilanesp
05-23-2018, 12:12 AM
Not this year Tom... :D

We went in 2015 I believe (The year Tonalist beat Chrome and Commissioner?)

Nice place, great set up. Awesome day of racing.

Although we sat in traffic for hours after the race, and then I got us lost in Manhattan on the way home. (Managed to get the family home to Pennsylvania by sun rise the next morning) :lol:

Always an adventure!

2014.

If you had gone in 2015 you would have remembered it.

TheGarMan
05-23-2018, 07:03 AM
2014.

If you had gone in 2015 you would have remembered it.

Thanks! - Yep , you are correct, it was 2014 - Jeez where does the time go?

I do hope to return someday, but this year I will park my butt in my basement and enjoy the show.

Gar

Tom
05-23-2018, 09:37 AM
Not this year Tom... :D

We went in 2015 I believe (The year Tonalist beat Chrome and Commissioner?)

Nice place, great set up. Awesome day of racing.

Always an adventure!

You have become my favorite turf writer this week! :headbanger:

jay68802
05-23-2018, 10:50 AM
As a fellow Nebraskan, all I can say is GO! Worth every penny. And remember to arrange transportation in advance. Most places you stay will be able to help in this matter. Get to the track early, place your bets, then have fun. A experience I will never forget.

TheGarMan
05-23-2018, 11:45 AM
You have become my favorite turf writer this week! :headbanger:

I'm honored ! :D

BlueChip@DRF
05-23-2018, 05:55 PM
I live one Nebraska and am debating making the trip to Belmont. Have never been to Belmont Park before. Thoughts or suggestions from those who have been?

Belmont is my home track. From 1977 to 1982 my family and my cousins' family went there every two weeks during the summer session. All 10 of us in a 1976 Grand Prix. Ah, the memories....

The Belmont Stakes I attended was in 1978, 2001-04, 2011, and 2013.

If you don't have to drive, then don't. You can take the train at Penn Station - the Belmont Park Special. It was $10 back in 2013, I don't know how much it is now. But it saves you the headache of waiting in traffic and/or finding a parking spot.

Bring your own food and drink if you can. A 2.2 litre bottle should do.
Something that does not require a cooler. It can get quite expensive to eat there on that day.

Here is a link of what is allowed/not-allowed and prepare accordingly:

https://www.belmontstakes.com/event-info/security

dilanesp
05-23-2018, 06:06 PM
Belmont is my home track. From 1977 to 1982 my family and my cousins' family went there every two weeks during the summer session. All 10 of us in a 1976 Grand Prix. Ah, the memories....

The Belmont Stakes I attended was in 1978, 2001-04, 2011, and 2013.

If you don't have to drive, then don't. You can take the train at Penn Station - the Belmont Park Special. It was $10 back in 2013, I don't know how much it is now. But it saves you the headache of waiting in traffic and/or finding a parking spot.

Bring your own food and drink if you can. A 2.2 litre bottle should do.
Something that does not require a cooler. It can get quite expensive to eat there on that day.

Here is a link of what is allowed/not-allowed and prepare accordingly:

https://www.belmontstakes.com/event-info/security

1978 was something special.

BlueChip@DRF
05-23-2018, 06:39 PM
1978 was something special.

Ya.... I was Preferred Grandstand Y by the 1/8th pole. When they entered the far turn I couldn't hear the announcer. The roar of the crowd was so loud... And I don't think we needed tickets back then. We just arrived before 8am. I've never seen the sun to the right of the grandstand before and the track all cuppy with footprints from those out there in training.


Other memories....

2002 - I found a standing spot on the 3rd level of the Clubhouse, about 30 yards (?) behind the finish line. Some guy was bragging he put $00 to Win on Proud Citizen. Then there was a nice couple next to me from out of town. The husband didn't bet, but the wife bet $2 on #11. I asked what made her place that bet? She said she "liked the name". Well, we all know what happened. After the finish of the race, I turned around to see that big bettor. He wasn't there. I hit for Place and Show, but was beat by the nice lady's pick. Good for her!


2004 - I was seated on the benches at the far turn. Man, having a place to sit was so comforting. The friend who got me the seat was sitting in the clubhouse with a big player. He said the guy next to him bet Pat Day all day. I think he hit a big one at $500 ATB and the Win bet paid $44.00. My friend said the guy was unaware he won at that moment because he was already heavily inebriated and I think he passed out. Lucky guy.... They teamed up on Smarty Jones. I hit for Show with Royal Assault on my ATB bet. The superfecta was the last 4 digits in straight order of a porn number advertised on late night cable TV back in the late 80's. Go figure...

2013 - It was cold. What the hell did they do to the track? When it's cold the dirt track is supposed to from fair to favoring closers. The speed held all day. WTF? I lost with Revolutionary.

boys at tosconova
05-24-2018, 12:58 AM
never forget

https://www.belmontstakes.com/uploads/historical_races/history_pdf_1999.pdf

JustRalph
05-24-2018, 01:15 AM
Try going the day before. I did that at the Preakness one year and got to see the whole place without the huge crowd.....and hunkered down on Preakness day.

biggestal99
05-24-2018, 08:11 AM
There been great belmont days and bad belmont days. I attended 40 of the last 43 years of Belmonts.

Have had great experiences and and really, really bad ones.

I am so old I remember attending the Belmont when admission was a buck (2 bucks usually but a dollar off for riding the train. NEVER have driven there. (driven back by friends in 1978). The train is absolutely the way to go. They rebuilt the Belmont Terminal and its great. three thumbs up for the MTA finally getting something right.

Get there early, stay off the ground floor with all the tourists. come up to the third floor and bring food and water so that you wont have to stand in line.
Buy a cash card and bet at self service terminals. Use the restrooms earlier in the day. They get pretty bad around 4 and beyond.

should be a great day and maybe, maybe a TC winner.

Allan

Tom
05-24-2018, 08:37 AM
Use the restrooms earlier in the day.

An I'm so old that is not cut it! :lol:

delsully
05-30-2018, 09:59 PM
Only time I went was in ‘15. They capped the attendance that day @90,000, had a great time. Didn’t have any issues getting my bets in.

Aerocraft67
06-05-2018, 12:38 PM
I'm headed to Belmont for the first time for the big day Saturday and I'm wondering about access to wagers given the crowd pressure on everything. I prefer to bet between races using either DRFBets or Twinspires on my mobile if possible, but want to plan accordingly if that's not a good option.

Will I get WiFi or cellular or will they be hopelessly overloaded? Will NRYA Bets work any better than other online ADWs (are they clever enough to prioritize NYRA Bets over the public Belmont WiFi)? Or should I just plan to use the self-service terminals and/or load up all my bets in the morning as already advised here in the thread? Would be nice to at least augment morning bets between races.

I've been to the Preakness and used cellular data for ADWs well enough, but Belmont isn't Pimlico.

jk3521
06-05-2018, 04:43 PM
The last Belmont Stakes day I attended was the year Swale won for Woody . God, time does fly ! :eek: I remember it was like 99 degrees that day.

The Arbiter
06-07-2018, 01:13 PM
I'm going to Belmont for the first time Saturday, very excited!

Eagerly reading any and all advice from the veterans!