Just as with the other races in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is not short on its traditions
This Saturday afternoon the last leg of the Triple Crown will take place before our eyes, the Belmont Stakes. On this Saturday in June of 2015, we have the possibility of seeing the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 — that’s if American Pharoah can pull out just one more win.
Much like the other races that are apart of the coveted Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes has some pretty awesome traditions that have remained throughout the years. Horse racing is one sport that is keen on keeping tradition intact, and on Saturday we’ll see a few of these both before and after the running of the Belmont Stakes.
Here, now, is a look at some of the traditions that we will see Saturday for the running of the Belmont Stakes.
Belmont Breeze
Of course, we start the brief list here with the alcoholic beverage of the day. The Kentucky Derby has the Mint Julep, the Preakness Stakes has the Black-Eyed Susan, and finally, the last leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, has the Belmont Breeze.
Now although the Belmont Breeze is indeed a yearly tradition at the Belmont Stakes, it was not introduced into the fold until 1998. It was brought in as a replacement to the White Carnation, and it has been a mainstay at the event ever since.
While it might not be as popular as the Mint Julep or Black-Eyed Susan (yet), there might not be a better drink out there to enjoy on a June day than this carefully crafted, very strong, whiskey punch. Prior to 1998, the drink was brought to the forefront by Dale DeGroff, who used an old Colonial Recipe to introduce this into our lives.
Carnations
Just like any other sporting event out there, there are some perks for the winner. Well, in the case of the Belmont Stakes, the winning horse is draped in a luxurious bed of expensive, white carnations.
The blanket itself takes up to 10 hours to construct, and it contains anywhere from 300-400 of these beautiful flowers. The carnations, which generally come from the state of California, are eventually glued to a green velveteen cloth and are presented to the winner of the most famous horse race in the state of New York.
A horse, obviously, cannot hoist a trophy in the air, but come on…would you rather hoist a piece of metal in the air or strut around with these beauties on your body?
But there is a trophy, and it is glorious
Now some of you may have answered the previous question that was posed with, “Well, no, I don’t want carnations draped over me. I want the trophy!” Well, the good news for you folks is that there is a trophy for the Belmont Stakes, and quite frankly, it’s one of the most beautiful prizes in all of sports.
This silver-colored bowl is actually crafted by Tiffany’s and it has been the permanent prize of the Belmont Stakes since 1926. This beautiful piece of accomplishment stands 18″ high and measures 15″ across and 14″ at the base. Needless to say, it’s not exactly the smallest bowl that you’ve ever seen before, and it’s not the cheapest either.
Finally, the horse that stands on top of the trophy isn’t just any old horse; there is meaning behind it. The horse that stands atop the trophy that is given out to the Belmont Stakes winner every year is a silver figure of Fenian, the horse that claimed the 1869 edition of the race.
Sadly, though, you do not get to keep the original trophy forever. The winning owner is allowed to keep the prize for a term of one year, but it must be given back before a new Belmont winner is crowned.
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