Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, Held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, at Belmont Park[?] in Elmont, New York,is a one-and-one-half-mile thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses. Because of its length, and because it is the last part of the Triple Crown, it is sometimes called the "Test of Champions". Most three-year-olds are unaccustomed to the distance, and lack the ability to maintain a winning speed for so long.

The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867; since 1905 it has been held at Belmont Racetrack[?] in Elmont, New York. The first post parade in the United States was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880.

The race distance has varied: from 1867 until 1873, it was 1 5/8 miles. In 1874 the distance was reduced to 1 1/2 miles, and from 1890 to 1892, and in 1895, the distance was 1 1/4 miles. From 1896 until 1925, the distance was increased to the original 1 5/8 miles. In 1926, the race distance was set at the present 1 1/2 miles.

Secretariat's 1973 Belmont victory set a record not only for the race, but for the mile and a half on dirt, that still stands.

YEAR WINNER

1867 Ruthless

1868 General Duke

1869 Fenian

1870 Kingfisher

1871 Harry Bassett

1872 Joe Daniels

1873 Springbok

1874 Saxon

1875 Calvin

1876 Algerine

1877 Cloverbrook

1878 Duke of Magenta

1879 Spendthrift

1880 Grenada

1881 Saunterer

1882 Forester

1883 George Kinney

1884 Panique

1885 Tyrant

1886 Inspector B.

1887 Hanover

1888 Sir Dixon

1889 Eric

1890 Burlington

1891 Foxford

1892 Patron

1893 Comanche

1894 Henry of Navarre

1895 Belmar

1896 Hastings

1897 Scottish Chieftain

1898 Bowling Brook

1899 Jean Bereaud

1900 Ildrim

1901 Commando

1902 Masterman

1903 Africander

1904 Delhi

1905 Tanya

1906 Burgomaster

1907 Peter Pan

1908 Colin

1909 Joe Madden

1910 Sweep

1913 Prince Eugene

1914 Luke McLuke

1915 The Finn

1916 Friar Rock

1917 Hourless

1918 Johren

1919 Sir Barton*

1920 Man o' War

1921 Grey Lag

1922 Pillory

1923 Zev

1924 Mad Play

1925 American Flag

1926 Crusader

1927 Chance Shot

1928 Vito

1929 Blue Larkspur

1930 Gallant Fox*

1931 Twenty Grand

1932 Faireno

1933 Hurryoff

1934 Peace Chance

1935 Omaha*

1936 Granville

1937 War Admiral*

1938 Pasteurized

1939 Johnstown

1940 Bimelech

1941 Whirlaway*

1942 Shut Out

1943 Count Fleet*

1944 Bounding Home

1945 Pavot

1946 Assault*

1947 Phalanx

1948 Citation*

1949 Capot

1950 Middleground

1951 Counterpoint

1952 One Count

1953 Native Dancer

1954 High Gun

1955 Nashua

1956 Needles

1957 Gallant Man

1958 Cavan

1959 Sword Dancer

1960 Celtic Ash

1961 Sherluck

1962 Jaipur

1963 Chateaugay

1964 Quadrangle

1965 Hail to All

1966 Amberoid

1967 Damascus

1968 Stage Door Johnny

1969 Arts and Letters

1970 High Echelon

1971 Pass Catcher

1972 Riva Ridge

1973 Secretariat*

1974 Little Current

1975 Avatar

1976 Bold Forbes

1977 Seattle Slew*

1978 Affirmed*

1979 Coastal

1980 Temperence Hill

1981 Summing

1982 Conquistador Cielo

1983 Caveat

1984 Swale

1985 Creme Fraiche

1986 Danzig Connection

1987 Bet Twice

1988 Risen Star

1989 Easy Goer

1990 Go and Go

1991 Hansel

1992 A.P. Indy

1993 Colonial Affair

1994 Tabasco Cat

1995 Thunder Gulch

1996 Editor's Note

1997 Touch Gold

1998 Victory Gallop

1999 Lemon Drop Kid

2000 Commendable

2001 Point Given

2002 Sarava

2003 Empire Maker

Triple Crown Winners are indicated by an asterisk