Set For Historic Bid In Saturday’s Belmont Stakes
Hoping to see the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years, tens of thousands will converge on Belmont Park this Saturday, June 7, to witness the 146th Belmont Stakes featuring California Chrome.
The California-bred colt trained byArt Sherman and ridden by Victor Espinoza rose to racing stardom in the last five weeks after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Last Saturday, May 31, he put in his final workout before the big race at Belmont Park.
This is the first Triple Crown bid at Belmont Park since 2008, when Big Brown faltered in the “Test of the Champion.” I’ll Have Another’s chance to capture the Triple Crown in 2012 was spoiled the day before the Belmont Stakes, when he was scratched and retired due to a leg injury.
If all goes well this time around, California Chrome will enter the starting gate Saturday afternoon at about6:52p.m.,witha11/2mile circuit around the Belmont oval- and 10 rivals-standing in the way of a Triple Crown sweep. The challengers include Wood Memorial Stakes winner Wicked Strong; Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve; Preakness Stakes second-place finisher Ride On Curlin; and Tonalist, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes, the local prep for the Belmont Stakes.
With good weather forecast and a multi-million dollar stakes undercard, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) anticipates a crowd potentially exceeding 100,000. Parking is available at Belmont, but those thinking about heading to the track on the Queens/Nassau border this Saturday are advised to use public transportation.
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will provide 18 extra trains from Penn Station to Belmont Park, stopping at Woodside and Jamaica along the way. There will also be 18 additional trains operating to Belmont Park fromAtlantic Terminal in downtown Brooklyn.
For more information, visit www.nyra.com.
