Belmont Stakes General Admission?
 

I recently found out that I would have the opportunity to go to New York the weekend of the Belmont Stakes. Having never been to a Triple Crown event, are general admission tickets readily available the day of the race (especially if a crown is on the line)? I have seen them available at various online outlets for $16-$30 each. I'm not sure if I should buy now or wait until the day of the race? Thanks for any help.

I went the year Smarty Jones was going for the triple crown and just walked up and purchased GA. There was no problem at all, Belmont is huge and we found a couple of descent places to watch from. The Long Island RR takes you there from Pennsylvania Station. Is was simple and inexpensive.

Belmont used to have a great GA setup, but I believe they've stopped allowing coolers filled with beer on to the grounds. It's a very affordable enterprise for admission, plus a few extra bones if you'd like to go hang out in the clubhouse, so I'd certainly suggest it. Belmont is an awesome track, and the Belmont Stakes is a great experience.

If you're going to go GA, be sure to get there early to claim a picnic table or bench, otherwise you'll be standing all day.

I believe one can bring chairs into the park at Belmont.

I also went when Smarty Jones was there. And next year for Afleet Alex, and to the last Breeders Cup there. Never a problem getting tickets at the door. Suggest getting the cheaper grandstand (as opposed to clubhouse) tickets. There's a better view of the finish line from the grandstand, anyway.
http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/GeneralI...EventMap08.pdf

Ticket outlets charging over $10 for GA is a crime.

Speaking of seating, has anybody heard from Belmont yet on their seats?

......i flew from los angeles to the 04 belmont, had great seats the people in new york were awesome the only drag is you can only wager the races at belmont.

are you sure about that? I went last year and I'm pretty sure there was simulcasting. . . may have changed since '04. . .

sweet, it was still a great event to attend...... the roar of the crowd when s.j turned for home was unlike any crowd i have ever heard at a sporting event.

As was the collective gasp of disappointment at the wire.

You could have heard a pin drop. I'm not joking.

Would that be the same pin popping the balloon?

I was just about to say the same thing.

I would wait awhile. If Big Brown is beaten in the Preakness. they will be giving tickets away:D

NYRA is rooting for Big Brown more than IEAH and Dutrow. The Casino Drive - Big Brown showdown will be quite the story.

That's an understatement for sure. In the years 2002,2003, and 2004 when War Emblem. Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones were trying to become triple crown winners, the crowd was over 100,000 capped by an all time high of just over 120,000 for the "smarty party" in 2004. The following three years, 2005, 2006, and 2007 when no triple crown was on the line saw declining attendance of 62,274, 61,168, and a pathtetic 46,870 last year to watch Rags To Riches win. If no triple crown is on the line, the vast majority of New York racing fans could give a rat's ass about attending,