Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHAT HORSE HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MILE AND EIGHTH BELMONT STAKES?
6/18/2020
2020 is the first year that the Belmont Stakes (GI) kicks off the Triple Crown. It will be followed by the Kentucky Derby (GI) as the second leg on September 5, 2020 and the Preakness Stakes (GI) as the last leg on October 3, 2020. This may be the only year that the Triple Crown is run in this order and with this much time between the races. Although the Belmont Stakes (G) is normally run at the classic distance of a mile and half, this year it will be run at a mile and an eighth. However, it not the first time the race has been run at 9 furlongs. It was last run at this distance in 1994 when Henry the Navarro trained by Willie Simms won. In the previous year (1893) Comanche, also trained by Willie Simms, won the mile and an eighth Belmont Stakes in record setting time of 1:53.25. Chances are a new record will be set this year. Two horses in the 2020 Belmont Stakes have run faster 9-furlong races ---Farmington Road (149.53) and Tiz the Law (1:50.0). Will either do it? Maybe another horse will.