As the 1978 Belmont Stakes began everyone’s eyes were on the two thoroughbreds that make up one of the greatest rivalries in the history of horse racing: Affirmed and Alydar.
The race was held at Belmont Park, third and final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Affirmed had won two legs with Alydar finishing second in Triple Crown Race.
No horse has been able to win a Triple Crown in nearly 32 years since Affirmed’s classic win. Since 1978, eleven horses have entered the race and failed after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
In 1905, Belmont Park, hosted the Belmont Stakes for the first time. Prior to it the race was held at Jerome Park (1867-1889) and Morris Park (1890-1904). August Belmont, Sr., financed the first race, after whom the race and park was named.
At 1.5 miles, Belmont Park features the largest dirt track in thoroughbred racing.
At that distance many 3-year-olds have never raced before. This results in races which yield surprises at a more consistent rate than the other two Triple Crown races.
In 1973, by a record 31 lengths, in 2:24.00, Secretariat finished his Triple Crown bid by winning the Belmont Stakes, still a race record.
In 1975, the race between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure was deemed “Equine Battle of the Sexes”. In the race, Ruffian’s leg snapped and eventually was euthanized and buried in Belmont Park’s infield.
To see if Smarty Jones would be the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years, in 2004, a crowd of 120,139 packed into Belmont Park. Birdstone won by 36-1 long shot, with Smarty Jones finishing second.
In its 105-year history, Belmont Park has been the subject of reconstruction. While the Park was rebuilt, the Belmont Stakes was held at nearby Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963-1967.