Belmont Records: TC Trivia

Largest Crowd in 2004; First Official Song Until 1997; Least Fields

May 28, 2008 BarbaraAnne Helberg

The largest crowd in Belmont Stakes history came out to see Smarty Jones in 2004. What was the race's official song replaced in 1997? What years had the fewest entries?

The conclusion to the Triple Crown classic races for 3-year-olds is the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York, run at Belmont Park. This season, the June 7, 140th renewal of the event will feature Big Brown, the only horse in the world with a chance to complete the first Triple Crown sweep in thirty years.

The Largest Crowds in Belmont Stakes History:

• 2004 ----- 120,139 ----- Smarty Jones had a chance to become Triple Crown winner; placed 2nd.
• 2002 ----- 103,222 ----- War Emblem had a chance to become Triple Crown winner, placed 8th.
• 2003 ----- 101,864 ----- Funny Cide had a chance to become Triple Crown winner, placed 3rd.
• 1999 ------- 85,818 ----- Charismatic had a chance to become Triple Crown winner, placed 2nd.
• 1998 ------- 80,162 ----- Real Quiet had a chance to become Triple Crown winner, placed 2nd.
• 2001 ------- 73,857 ----- Favorite and favored Preakness Stakes Champion Point Given won.
• 1997 ------- 70,682 -----Silver Charm had a chance to become Triple Crown winner, placed 2nd.

Famed Song "Sidewalks of New York"

"Sidewalks of New York" gave way to "New York, New York" as the Belmont Stakes official post-parade song in 1997. "Sidewalks" was written in 1894 by Charles Lawlor and James W. Blake. They were a vaudeville performer and a lyricist making a living as a hat salesman, respectively.

"New York, New York" is a 1977 tune composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb, a successful Broadway team, who wrote the song originally for the movie of the same title.

The Smallest Belmont Stakes Field Ever:

Only two horses entered the Belmont Stakes in 1887, 1888, 1892, 1910, and 1920. In 1983, the largest field contested the race, 15 strong.

Belmont Colors:

Since 2005, 54 bays have won the Belmont Stakes. Chestnut winners account for fifty of the race's champions, and 28 dark bay, or brown horses have won the stakes. There have been three black winners, two gray champions, and one roan victor.

Leading the Belmont Stakes in Wins:

Owner James R. Keene (6) ----- Spendthrift,1879; Commando, 1901; Delhi, 1904; Peter Pan, 1907; Colin, 1908; Sweep, 1910.

Belair Stud (6) ----- Gallant Fox, 1930; Faireno, 1932; Omaha, 1935; Granville, 1936; Johnstown, 1939; Nashua, 1955.

Mike and Phil Dwyer (5) ----- George Kinney, 1883; Panique, 1884; Inspector B., 1886; Hanover, 1887; Sir Dixon, 1888.

Glen Riddle Farms (4) ----- Man o' War, 1920; American Flag, 1925; Crusader, 1926; War Admiral, 1937.

Greentree Stable (4) ----- Twenty Grand, 1931; Shut Out, 1942; Capot, 1949; Stage Door Johnny, 1968.

August Belmont II (3) ----- Masterman, 1902; Friar Rock, 1916; Hourless,1917.

King Ranch (3) ----- Assault, 1946; Middleground, 1950; High Gun, 1954.

Whom Among the Above Groups Were Triple Crown Champions? Answers: tluassa, larimda raw, ahamo, xof tnallag.

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