Belmont
 

Looking to go to the Belmont. Never been to the track. Willing to spend some good money to be near the action, but also have conveniences such as wagering and drinks(very important!!). Any suggestions??? Have to be able to see that race, though, the closer, the better.

I think tickets are sold out by now. It'll be bedlam, but it's not terrible in the early part of the day. As a usual railbird on Belmont Stakes Day, I usually start trying to find a spot about 2 hours before the race because it gets packed in tight.

There are usually people selling tickets for reserved seats as you get off the Belmont Special train and walk to the gates, but I can't say if the tickets are always legit. I know a friend who paid $80 apiece that way for tickets on Smarty Jones' Belmont and the seats were for real, but you never know.

It's always a fun day, though. Highly recommend.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

I'm wrong- looks like tickets ARE still available:

http://www.belmontstakes.com/story/2...-ticketmaster/

Hope they have a team of plumbers go through there prior to the big day. '08 was ugly with people going "pishy" in the stairwells.

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forget all the knocks on the facility, it's huge - took the train out from the city last fall on a stakes weekend for the first time, no problems at all, there's a link on the NYRA page with all the timetables. of course it's going to be more than a little different on BEL day but just be prepared for large crowds like you would at any big sporting event, pack your own food and beverages (in plastic), don't bother with concessions.. you'll have a great time or at least one to remember :D!

So unless you have a time machine, stay home and ignore a chance at witnessing history?

What fans we have in this sport. Imagine people not going to see someone's 3000th hit because they didn't like the stadium?

If anyone was planning on going to the Belmont....go. I have been there many times for all sorts of big days and with the exception of Big Brown's Belmont (because it was 115 degrees all day) I had a great time.

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I've been to Belmont for a Triple Crown try twice: in 2004 and 2008. In 2004, one could still bring in a case of beers and pick a spot out in the park to lounge all day, then head into the track as warranted. In 2008, it was 11,983 degrees and Nassau County decided to shut off the water at Belmont. Hijinks ensued.

Either way, of the three Triple Crown events, Belmont - even on days where there are 100k plus in attendance - is by far the most enjoyable from a spectating perspective. NYRA says more seats are going on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. Honestly, to the original poster, just get online, buy your seats (don't be cheap - the third floor clubhouse seats are a must), and take the train to the park. You won't regret it despite the naysayers in this thread.

Was the 2008 Belmont the only Belmont stakes you have attended? I mean I get it....it was miserable that day. But Belmont can handle the crowd.

Even with the water issues and my aversion to heat, I loved the 2008 Belmont, though that was like 34 percent because it was the first time I'd seen grown women peeing in public urinals with regularity and 66 percent because I got to see IAEH and Dutrow suck it. I wish I could physically be there this year even if it's just to watch Reddam and O'Neill suck it, broken lavatories and all.

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.

Was there for Big Brown year, we didn't even know there was a bathroom issue until someone told us.
Will be there again this year. I had a fabulous time in 2008 and know I'll have a fabulous time in 2012, however it ends up. Plus it helps to have a Manhattanite friend who went out to Aqueduct yesterday and got us tickets, even though we don't really need the seats, but just in case. It's going to be a fantastic time!!!

I've lost my shoes at belmont park when there was a triple crown on the line. But we really dont need to talk about that...

Others have covered transportation from the city. If you are coming via car, I recommend parking in the "Green" lot off the Cross Island, and taking the shuttle bus into the track. If you stay for any of the races after the Belmont, it's not too bad getting back out to the lot via the shuttle buses, and the police have done a good job limiting traffic in the inside lanes of the Northbound Cross Island Parkway after the race, making it far easier to get out than if you park in a lot that forces you to get onto Hempstead Turnpike.

I believe we waited maybe an hour at most for the train back after the '08 Triple Crown try, but the crowd that day was @20k smaller than 2004, where I drove off with hardly any traffic at all. I'd definitely recommend the train if it's an option.

Also, one can bring all the food they'd like into the track on Belmont day. I think one can even bring non-alcoholic beverages into the track. Just in case folks are looking to save a few duchats.

Can folding chairs be brought in ?

I believe folding chairs are allowed in the park area.

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