The richest and most famous thoroughbred race in the world is the Belmont Stakes. Every year, the wealthy bet large sums of money – sometimes winning, sometimes losing – but it’s always about the sport and the money is just a bonus. It’s time for the May edition of the Horse World News Roundup. Here are five interesting tidbits about the famous horse race.
The First-Ever Triple Crown Winner
The first-ever Triple Crown winner is behind us now. Just last month, American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first-ever horse to win the prestigious trifecta. It was an incredible race to witness, with American Pharoah pulling away from the field in the last few strides to claim the win by a mile. With this latest win, the 25-year old New Yorker has now won the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes a total of six times. It’s safe to say that he will go down in history as one of the greatest horses of all time.
All About Status
Traditionally, the richest and most famous horse race is always followed by the Belmont Stakes. Preakness Stakes, on the other hand, is the middle child, with the Derby being the youngest and the Stakes being the oldest. This is because the Belmont Stakes is run at a fast clip and is considered the more prestigious of the three. With this year’s Belmont Stakes being run at a faster pace than usual, the prestige of the prestigious race is at stake. Last year’s champion, American Pharoah, set the standard with his blistering pace but this year, the other contenders are gunning for first place as well. Stay tuned. We’ll have more on this as the race approaches.
Waxing Or Skipping?
One of the most interesting things about the Belmont Stakes is that it is the only horse race where the horses are trimmed (i.e. their facial hair is removed) before the start of the race. The others, the Derby and the Preakness, keep their full beards for the entire duration. It’s a tradition in the industry that the colder the winter, the better for your horse’s coat, so this makes sense. However, many say that having facial hair promotes horsemen’s sense of personal style and it also makes them appear more mature. This is because the facial hair adds a dash of character to the otherwise clean-shaven profile. Some horsemen prefer to stay traditional while others go for a more modern look. Your call.
More Than Meets The Eye
Besides the fact that the Belmont Stakes is a prestigious race, what also makes it interesting is the fact that its earnings can be quite high. Last year’s race was considered one of the biggest betting races of all time, with a win amounting to $12.7 million. While that may not seem like much these days, it’s still a significant amount of money. The fact that the payout isn’t based on the money wagered makes it all the more appealing. The organizers of the race do take a chunk of the earnings, however.
Betting Is Back
With the horse racing industry experiencing a revival in the U.S., the interest in betting on horse races is on the rise. In fact, there is now a race for people who want to bet on the Belmont Stakes. While most places will let you place a friendly wager on upcoming horse races, none of them can legally accept your wagers regarding the Belmont Stakes itself. This is because, despite being one of the three most prestigious horse races, it is still officially a contest among thoroughbred horses. It’s time for the May edition of the Horse World News Roundup. Here are five interesting tidbits about the famous horse race.