History
Named for August Belmont, the first president of the American Jockey Club, the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown races. It was inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park, the first genuinely modern track.
When Morris Park replaced Jerome Park in 1890, the Belmont moved there. Since 1905, it has been run at Belmont Park. American races are usually run counter-clockwise, but the Belmont was run clockwise, as in England, until 1921.
The Belmont takes place in early June, three weeks after the Preakness and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. At 1 1/2 miles since 1925, it's the longest of the three events. The Belmont has been run at several other distances at various times: 1 5/8 miles from 1967 through 1873; 1 1/4 miles from 1890 through 1892 and in 1895; 1 1/8 miles in 1893 and 1894; 1 5/8 miles from 1896 through 1925. The distance was also 1 1/2 miles from 1874 through 1889.