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The 134th Belmont Stakes
On a beautiful spring day a record crowd of 103,222 fans gathered at
Belmont Park in New York. The crowd hoped to witness the first Triple
Crown winner since 1978. Instead, they became part of two other records.
The previous attendance record, which was set on Belmont Stakes Day,
June 6, 1999, had been 85,818. The crowd that gathered this year
eclipsed that record by 17,404. NYRA racing officials did a great job
handling the crowd and no major incidents were reported.
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War Emblem goes to post
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The other record this huge crowd witnessed occurred
during the running of the 134th Belmont Stakes, the race that
was supposed to produce a Triple Crown Champion, racing’s next
superstar, War Emblem. When the starting gate opened at 6:15 PM War
Emblem went to his knees. By the time the Derby and Preakness winner had
recovered his race was lost.
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Sarava - longest shot in Belmont History
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At the top of the stretch, Medaglia D’Oro and long shot Sarava
were battling for the lead. Sarava passed the finish line a half-length
in front of Medaglia D’Oro, becoming the longest shot in the history
of the Belmont Stakes. Off at 75.25 to 1, a two-dollar wager on Sarava
paid back $142.50. Although racing didn’t get a Triple Crown a record
crowd witnessed several records and an exciting day of racing.
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Edgar Prado Celebrates
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