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.

I certainly hope TheGarMan is planning on attending the Belmont this year! :lol:

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.

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.

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

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

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.

I'm honored ! :D

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.

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.

never forget

https://www.belmontstakes.com/upload...y_pdf_1999.pdf

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.

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