2008 Belmont Stakes

ELMONT, NY - JUNE 09: Rags to Riches, riden by John Velzquez, crosses the finish line ahead of Curlin, riden by Robby Albarado, during the 139th Belmont Stakes June 9, 2007 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) First run in 1867, the Belmont Stakes is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds, run on a dirt track over a distance of 1½ miles. It forms the last leg of the prestigious Triple Crown, after the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

Not to be outdone by the Kentucky Derby - which is nicknamed the “Run for the Roses” – the Belmont Stakes is known as the “Run for the Carnations” because of the blanket of white carnations traditionally draped over the winner. Another title that the Belmont Stakes has earned is “Test of the Champion”, because few three-year-old thoroughbreds are used to running a full 1½ miles at a top speed.

Like the Kentucky Derby with its “My Old Kentucky Home” and the Preakness Stakes with “Maryland, My Maryland”, the Belmont Stakes has a traditional song that spectators sing after the call to post. Up until 1996, this was “Sidewalks of New York” From 1997 on, spectators have joined in singing the theme from “New York, New York” instead.

The longer distance involved and the position of the Belmont Stakes as the last of the three Triple Crown races ensures that it is one of the most exciting and closely watched races of the season.

So far, a total of 11 horses have secured the Triple Crown. However, the last Triple Crown win was a full 30 years ago, when Affirmed took all three of the races in 1978.

The 2007 Belmont Stakes saw Rags to Riches become the first filly to win the race since 1905.