The Belmont

Most thoroughbred racehorses are bred to only run a mile, some less, some more.  The "burn" is the expression when all athletes, human and equine, reach a point where stamina and desire have reached the limit and the proverbial "wall" is hit.  That's why the Kentucky Derby's one mile and a quarter distance is considered the best blend of speed and stamina, and often called the classic distance.  A mile and a half, that's how far the Belmont Stakes is, a quarter of a mile farther than the Derby.  These young three year olds will run a distance that certainly none have ever run before, and almost certainly will never run again.  This is why the Belmont Stakes has always been known as the "Test of the Champions."  It is easy for horses to give up when they have reached their limit, but those great ones dig deeper and courage is what carries them on to greatness.

This is why the Belmont Stakes is considered one of the classic races in all of horse racing.  There is no Triple Crown on the line this year but that doesn't diminish the fact that this race is still a "Test of the Champions."  The Belmont was first run in 1867, eight years prior to the Kentucky Derby, and comes with its on set of traditions.  A blanket of white carnations is draped across the withers of the Champion, as well as a statue of Secretariat located in the paddock area.  The horses enter the track to the tune of "New York, New York," and like the Derby,  where the mint julep is the drink, the White Carnation is the official choice of "New Yorkers."  It doesn't matter that these traditions of songs and official drinks fall a bit short of the fabled Kentucky Derby traditions, make no mistake about it the Belmont Stake is every bit as great a race.

Eight of the three year old colts that ran in the Kentucky Derby will try each other again in the Belmont.  New "shooters" who have marked their time will try and ambush these top contenders down that long, grueling stretch at Belmont Park on Saturday.   But one thing is for sure, which ever colt wins the Belmont Stakes, he might not be as fast as Secretariat, or even a Triple Crown winner, but when the "burn" kicks in, and he digs in a little deeper, he will always be considered courageous, and pass the test as  Belmont Champion.