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Below you will find some interesting facts that we have found from articles, horse racing publications and other sites over the years. We think you will find these interesting. If you have any other facts to share with our readers send them to service@docsports.com

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Biggest and Smallest Purses

The purse for the first running of the Belmont was $1,500 added with a total purse of $2,500 with the winner's share that year taken by Francis Morris' filly Ruthless.

The lowest winner's share in the history of the Belmont Stakes was the $1,825 earned by The Finn in the 1915 running.

The 1992 edition of the Belmont was the richest running with a total purse of $1,764,800.

The First Post Parade was at Belmont

The first post parade in this country came in the 14th running of the Belmont back in 1880. Until that time, the horses went directly from paddock to post.

Strange Running

Grey Lag's Belmont (1921) was the first running of this prestigious event in the counter-clockwise manner of American fashion at Belmont Park. This 53rd running was a mile and three-eighths over the main course. Previous renewals of the stakes at Belmont Park were run clockwise, in accordance with English custom, over a fish-hook course which included part of the training track and the main dirt oval.

Oldest triple crown event

The Belmont is the oldest of the Triple Crown events, predating the Preakness by six years and the Kentucky Derby by eight. The winner of the first Kentucky Derby, Aristides, ran second in the Belmont of 1875, behind Calvin.

All Bets off

Anti-betting legislation was passed in New York State, closing Belmont and canceling the race for two years between 1911 and 1912.

Test of the Champ

Because of its length, and because it is the final race of the Triple Crown, it is called the "Test of the Champion". Most three-year-olds are unaccustomed to the distance, and lack the ability to maintain a winning speed for so long.

On June 5, 1993 thoroughbred racing's all-time leading female jockey, Julie Krone, became the first woman to win a Triple Crown race when she rode to victory in the Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair.

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