Belmont

MaTH716 · #1 05-21-2012, 09:59 AM

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.

FGFan · #2 05-21-2012, 10:07 AM

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!!!

Antitrust32 · #3 05-21-2012, 10:13 AM

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...

parsixfarms · #4 05-21-2012, 10:16 AM

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.

slotdirt · #5 05-21-2012, 10:18 AM

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.

slotdirt · #6 05-21-2012, 10:19 AM

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.

Port Conway Lane · #7 05-21-2012, 10:34 AM

Can folding chairs be brought in ?

slotdirt · #8 05-21-2012, 10:40 AM

I believe folding chairs are allowed in the park area.

-BT- · #9 05-21-2012, 12:11 PM

[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-

MaTH716 · #10 05-21-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -BT-

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?

-BT- · #11 05-21-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaTH716

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-

Revidere · #12 05-21-2012, 01:07 PM

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

It helps me get these:

pointman · #13 05-21-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaTH716

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 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.

asudevil · #14 05-21-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointman

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.

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

Sightseek · #15 05-21-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaTH716

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.

What an excellent post! I was there for Rags' Belmont and that was a day I'll never forget, a Triple Crown winner? I can't even imagine! It may or may not happen, but that rush you get as they break from the gate will be worth it!