Plot Synopsis

First run in 1867, the BELMONT STAKES, often billed as "The Test of the Champion," is hosted by Belmont Park on Long Island, New York and is the third jewel -- and the oldest of the three races -- in horse racing's Triple Crown. The first running of the Belmont Stakes in 1867 at Jerome Park took place on Thursday, June 19. The race was 1-5/8 miles long. In 1890, the Belmont was moved from Jerome Park to Morris Park, a 1-3/8 mile track once located a few miles east of what is now Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx. The BELMONT STAKES was run at Morris Park until Belmont Park opened in 1905. Since 1905, Belmont Park has hosted the BELMONT STAKES every year, except for 1911 and 1912 when the race was cancelled. In 1926, the Belmont switched to a 1-1/2 mile race, the distance for the Belmont ever since.
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On Saturday, June 10, 2023, BELMONT STAKES moved to FOX for the network's inaugural coverage of the race from 6:30-7:30pm ET/3:30-4:30pm PT. Post-time is 7:05pm ET/4:05pm PT.

Beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT with BELMONT DAY ON FOX, the network's prerace show coverage is anchored by veteran studio host Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith -- the last to claim a Triple Crown win -- providing viewers with expert racing analysis. Also joining the coverage, Chris Fallica shares up-to-the-minute wagering expertise alongside host Charissa Thompson. Reporter Tom Rinaldi shares stories from within and beyond the track, sitting down with Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert (American Pharaoh and Justify) and the legendary jockey Ron Turcotte, who famously rode Secretariat to a Triple Crown victory in 1973. Maggie Wolfendale also contributes throughout the show, reporting live on horseback from undercard races and providing valuable insight from the paddock -- sharing an expert look at the horses with viewers.

At the same time on Fox Sports 1, AMERICA'S DAY AT THE BELMONT, an alternate telecast geared to the experienced horseplayer. The show includes a rotation of hosts, handicappers and racing analysts including Laffit Pincay, Greg Wolf, Andy Serling, Jonathon Kinchen, Gary Stevens, Acacia Clement, Michelle Yu, Richard Migliore, Paul Lo Duca and Wolfendale.

Both programs feature coverage of three Grade 1 races including Jaipur (Post Time: 4:22pm ET), Met Mile (5:07pm ET) and Manhattan (5:57pm ET). The legendary Tom Durkin calls these in addition to the Belmont Stakes (Post Time: 7:05pm ET).