What"s better—the Belmont Stakes or Kentucky Derby?
Since 1867 the ponies have raced around the track at The Belmont Stakes. It is the oldest race of the Triple Crown events, predating the Kentucky Derby by eight years and the Preakness by six.
Though the pomp of the Kentucky Derby may drown that of the Belmont Stakes, the race is just as important. Known as "The Test of Champions," the Belmont is the final race of the Triple Crown series and the longest of them at 1.5 miles. Only 11 horses have managed to win all three races and claim the title of Triple Crown winner. American Pharoah is in the running to achieve this feat at this year's Belmont.
The ponies may be all gunning for the same prize, but what differences can you expect of this New York horse race versus the Kentucky south?
Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky opens its gates for the annual "Run for the Roses" every first Saturday in May. The crowd is full of southern belles, celebrities and excited racegoers who come to experience real southern hospitality.
Belmont Stakes: Belmont Park welcomes racegoers to Elmont, NY, just a short ride outside the New York City limits on Long Island. So you can expect plenty of boisterous New York attitude. The park is accessible by train, as well as car, so expect large crowds, but it is larger than Churchill Downs to make for an easier viewing experience.
Kentucky Derby: Over 150,000 people attend “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" each year. The Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses.
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont is not only the oldest race in the Triple Crown, but the longest at 1.5 miles. You might see comebacks in the Derby, but horses who rally from far back don’t usually win this race.
Kentucky Derby: Sometimes seeing the fashions at the Derby is more exciting then the actual running of the horses. Everyone is encouraged to dress their best from those in the grandstand, to those in the infield. And oh the hats!
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont definitely takes on a more casual tone, and the frenzy and lavishness of the event usually depends on the possibility of a Triple Crown winner. The park encourages people to dress to the nines, but most New Yorkers will generally do as they please as it is much warner in June then Kentucky in the first week of May.
Kentucky Derby: Every year when the horses come out to the track for the post-race parade the University of Louisville marching band plays the Stephen Foster classic "My Old Kentucky Home," and the crowd sings along.
Belmont Stakes: What would be more appropriate than hearing the tune of 'ole blue eyes, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York?" For decades the traditional theme song of the Belmont Stakes was "Sidewalks of New York," but in 1997 track officials made the change to appeal to a younger crowd.
Kentucky Derby: Everyone knows the Derby is famous for its cooling mint julip libations. It's so beloved that someone even wrote a book about it.
Belmont Stakes: The drink of choice here is not nearly as famous, but packs just as much of a punch—a whiskey punch that is. The Belmont Breeze is the cocktail of the day, but most racegoers typically stick to beer.
Kentucky Derby: Sure, there are tons of red carpet celebrity soirees and expensive gatherings, but the real party lives in the Derby infield. There is no limit on admission, so you'll be living it up with close to 80,000 of your closest friends.
Belmont Stakes: Surprisingly a lot of the lavish viewing parties take place in Manhattan for those who do not want to deal with traffic or the dry Long Island Rail Road. There is plenty of space in Belmont Park aside from the grandstand to watch, so you will have your pick of viewing spaces. However, the event is very casual and a complete 180 from the raucous Derby affair.
Kentucky Derby: "Run for the Roses" does have a point you know! The winning horse receives a garland stitched with 400 red roses, and a trophy created by New England Sterling.
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont is a little more casual with the florals, awarding the winner with a blanket of hand-sewn white carnations. However the trophy is a bit more desirable, officially created by Tiffany & Co.
Though the pomp of the Kentucky Derby may drown that of the Belmont Stakes, the race is just as important. Known as "The Test of Champions," the Belmont is the final race of the Triple Crown series and the longest of them at 1.5 miles. Only 11 horses have managed to win all three races and claim the title of Triple Crown winner. American Pharoah is in the running to achieve this feat at this year's Belmont.
The ponies may be all gunning for the same prize, but what differences can you expect of this New York horse race versus the Kentucky south?
1. Location
Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky opens its gates for the annual "Run for the Roses" every first Saturday in May. The crowd is full of southern belles, celebrities and excited racegoers who come to experience real southern hospitality.
Belmont Stakes: Belmont Park welcomes racegoers to Elmont, NY, just a short ride outside the New York City limits on Long Island. So you can expect plenty of boisterous New York attitude. The park is accessible by train, as well as car, so expect large crowds, but it is larger than Churchill Downs to make for an easier viewing experience.
2. Length of race
Kentucky Derby: Over 150,000 people attend “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" each year. The Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses.
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont is not only the oldest race in the Triple Crown, but the longest at 1.5 miles. You might see comebacks in the Derby, but horses who rally from far back don’t usually win this race.
3. Attire
Kentucky Derby: Sometimes seeing the fashions at the Derby is more exciting then the actual running of the horses. Everyone is encouraged to dress their best from those in the grandstand, to those in the infield. And oh the hats!
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont definitely takes on a more casual tone, and the frenzy and lavishness of the event usually depends on the possibility of a Triple Crown winner. The park encourages people to dress to the nines, but most New Yorkers will generally do as they please as it is much warner in June then Kentucky in the first week of May.
4. Music
Kentucky Derby: Every year when the horses come out to the track for the post-race parade the University of Louisville marching band plays the Stephen Foster classic "My Old Kentucky Home," and the crowd sings along.
Belmont Stakes: What would be more appropriate than hearing the tune of 'ole blue eyes, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York?" For decades the traditional theme song of the Belmont Stakes was "Sidewalks of New York," but in 1997 track officials made the change to appeal to a younger crowd.
5. Drinks
Kentucky Derby: Everyone knows the Derby is famous for its cooling mint julip libations. It's so beloved that someone even wrote a book about it.
Belmont Stakes: The drink of choice here is not nearly as famous, but packs just as much of a punch—a whiskey punch that is. The Belmont Breeze is the cocktail of the day, but most racegoers typically stick to beer.
6. Parties
Kentucky Derby: Sure, there are tons of red carpet celebrity soirees and expensive gatherings, but the real party lives in the Derby infield. There is no limit on admission, so you'll be living it up with close to 80,000 of your closest friends.
Belmont Stakes: Surprisingly a lot of the lavish viewing parties take place in Manhattan for those who do not want to deal with traffic or the dry Long Island Rail Road. There is plenty of space in Belmont Park aside from the grandstand to watch, so you will have your pick of viewing spaces. However, the event is very casual and a complete 180 from the raucous Derby affair.
7. Honoring the winner
Kentucky Derby: "Run for the Roses" does have a point you know! The winning horse receives a garland stitched with 400 red roses, and a trophy created by New England Sterling.
Belmont Stakes: The Belmont is a little more casual with the florals, awarding the winner with a blanket of hand-sewn white carnations. However the trophy is a bit more desirable, officially created by Tiffany & Co.
