It's Belmont Week again . . . Reminders, Tidbits, thoughts, etc

[JolyB]

Interesting tidbit from Wikipedia on the historic length of Belmont Stakes.

"The Belmont Stakes has been run at a mile and a half from 1874 to 1889 and 1926 to the present. An exception was made in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the national racing schedule underwent significant changes. Additionally, the distance of the Belmont Stakes has been changed during the race's temporary relocation to Saratoga in 2024 and 2025.

Besides 1+1⁄2 miles, the Belmont has been run at the following distances: a mile and five furlongs in 1867–1873; a mile and a quarter in 1890–1892, 1895, 1904–1905, and 2024; a mile and a furlong in 1893–1894 and again in 2020; and a mile and three furlongs from 1896 to 1903 and 1906–1925"

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by JolyB

Interesting tidbit from Wikipedia on the historic length of Belmont Stakes.

"The Belmont Stakes has been run at a mile and a half from 1874 to 1889 and 1926 to the present. An exception was made in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the national racing schedule underwent significant changes. Additionally, the distance of the Belmont Stakes has been changed during the race's temporary relocation to Saratoga in 2024 and 2025.

Besides 1+1⁄2 miles, the Belmont has been run at the following distances: a mile and five furlongs in 1867–1873; a mile and a quarter in 1890–1892, 1895, 1904–1905, and 2024; a mile and a furlong in 1893–1894 and again in 2020; and a mile and three furlongs from 1896 to 1903 and 1906–1925"

Very interesting! Thanks for the in depth info JB. One more question: does this mark the official opening of racing at The Spa, much earlier than normal?

[Real Quiet]

Tidbit. Colloquial will not run in the Woody Stephens via TDN.