Folding chairs are allowed, though if you get in early enough to plant yourself near the fence, you'll have to fold them up at some point prior to the race or risk getting smooshed under a mob of people.

I was there for Charismatic, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones and Big Brown. I'll never forget the absolute silence that fell after Birdstone passed Smarty.

I just love Belmont on a TC year, even though I hate crowds. I know the Kentucky Derby is mobbed every year, but then, there's also a Derby winner every year. At Belmont on a TC year, there's just that great feeling of expectation all day, that maybe, maybe, this year, history will happen. I can't think of any other sporting event where just about the entire crowd is rooting for the same athlete. Horse racing runs on gambling (one of the things I love about it), but the Belmont in a Triple Crown year is the only race that transcends wagering and becomes about hoping to see a horse do something incredible.

You can bring in coolers and beverages that aren't in glass bottles, but no alcohol on Belmont Stakes Day. Though there is plenty for sale (yay, souvenir glass).

I went to AQ yesterday to fill out the application for tickets. Maybe 40 or 50 people were waiting to go up at 11:30 when they opened up the office. Annoyingly, the people who made sure we knew they'd been there SINCE TEN THIRTY, WAITING, SO DON'T GET IN FRONT OF US, hadn't even seen the Preakness. Aspiring scalpers, I imagine.

Thanks for the info !

Honestly? I don't think the entire crowd was rooting for Big Brown to win the Belmont. I also think there was a pretty early letdown there when the horse was pulled up around the far turn. Contrast that with the feeling when Birdstone ran down Smarty Jones in 2004, and I can't believe they were both racing for the same place in history.

[quote=MaTH716;862778]I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of huge huge crowds. For many years I stayed away from Haskell (my home track), just cause I didn't want to deal with it. Same thing with Belmont, but now I'm starting to see the light.

This is a chance to see history. I have heard countless stories on this board from people that were there when Smarty Jones came into the stretch with the lead. They talk about the roar that went up and how the hairs on the back of their neck stood up. I can only imagne what that was like. I remember being at the Haskell when Rachael won, and the feeling I got when she took the lead and headed for home. I figue that feeling will be x1000 at Belmont.

I consider myself a big fan and have always wanted to see a TC winner. I was to young to remember Slew. I remember watching countless horses on TV trying to accomplish the feat and being so disappointed when they failed. I'm fortunate enough to live in the area and have the opportunity to go. It's time I finally made the trip. Just deal with whatever is thrown at you as far as traffic, lines, crowds, bad beats and so on. And at the end of the day, hopefully history is made and I was there to witness it.[/QUOTE]

i slept in JFK saturday night of Big Brown in order to see an attempt at history..........

-bt-

I'm I sure that you have slept in a lot worse places than JFK.

Are you thinking about coming up?

i'm already there, bra

-bt-

I'll be there with my daughter at the rail from the opening.

It helps me get these:

Nonsense, Belmont is a huge facility that can handle the crowds. They had bathroom problems 1 or 2 years, but there should be no problems come Belmont Stakes day. I have been to every Belmont since 2004. That day was a bit crazy as the LIRR was not prepared for the amount of people taking the train, I am sure that will not happen this time.

I was in the restaurant on the Smarty Jones day. The cheering when Smarty was in front and looked clear was incredible. When Birdstone went by, the silence was so deafening that you could hear a pin drop. There was utter disbelief on the faces of everyone in the crowd. I have been to other sports championships, including the Yankees and the four Islander Stanley Cups, and I have never experienced anything like that and probably never will again. I get goose bumps and the hair stands on the back of my neck just recalling it, even writing this now.

I would say to anyone no matter how much of a pain in the a$$ it may be, it is well worth it and I can't imagine the pandemonium it will be if we get a Triple Crown winner in a little less than three weeks.

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I don't get how someone can't be a fan of the Belmont facility (unless the only other facilities they've been to are like Del Mar and Saratoga). Seriously, Belmont Park kills every other track I've been to, Churchill included.

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Good answer. Belmont has nothing on Pimlico....right?

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Reading this thread I'm starting to think horseplayers are anti-social. I love big crowds, people watching, seeing new faces, and meeting interesting people. Beats sitting in front of a computer.

Dealing with crowds is easier if you're tall, I imagine. When you're not, it's a lot of watching the back of people's heads and shoulders.

But yeah, meeting people at the track is always fun.

Ah, Big Brown- I wanted the horse to win the Belmont, and yet felt absolutely no disappointment when he didn't.

You're right, of course, that Smarty Jones' Belmont was a whole different story.

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Thank you with the specifics, being that I've never been to Belmont, it's what I needed. Just bought 3rd floor, row A seats. My next dilemma is where to stay, you mentioned taking a train???

Yes!!!

Let's all try and enjoy this possible milestone. It will be terrific for the sport that we have all come to love. And for a slight moment in time, we can all take pleasure in saying...

Fu<k:

The N.Y. Times
Joe Drape
Bill Rodent (Rhoden)
PETA
Kentucky Commission (KHRC)
Polytrack