Belmont

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Coup Verville

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.

[Coup Verville]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[GenuineRisk]

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

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

[asudevil]

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.

[Grey Lag]

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[Many Others]

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 !

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Grey Lag

I wouldn't go to Belmont on Belmont Stakes Day as the track really can't handle the huge crowds unless they have seriously improved the infrastructure since 2008.

I would go see Belmont Park when it is at its best. Like say 1965 or so.

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.

[Grey Lag]

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[pointman]

Originally Posted by Grey Lag

I wouldn't go to Belmont on Belmont Stakes Day as the track really can't handle the huge crowds unless they have seriously improved the infrastructure since 2008.

I would go see Belmont Park when it is at its best. Like say 1965 or so.

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.