Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure

For the photo gallery from this Big Adventure click here! 

Information from The Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 in New York City

On the first Saturday in June, The Big Adventure took to the races and ran with the ponies at the 142nd Running of The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, Long Island.

Most of the day was spent wagering on the horses and sipping Belmont Breezes at Belmont Park on the biggest race day of the year in New York City, but thanks to express LIRR service, we also hit up some of best equine themed bars and locales in Manhattan.

Stops included our new favorite beer bar in the city, Pony Bar; the home of the classic cheese steak, Wogie's; and the century-old Whitehorse Inn Tavern. With one of our biggest crowds yet and beloved wooden pony Trigger in tow, it was the odds-on-favorite as our best Big Adventure to date.

  

Here is a look at our detailed plans for the day along with the info on where we planned to hoof it around town and list of our mane stops. Okay, that’s the end of horse puns. Promise. This Big Adventure started and ended a bit earlier than usual and will consist of only four stops with our trek out to Belmont Raceway. We’ve been looking forward to this one for over a year. And enjoyed the participants dressed in there best race day outfit (or not…for Big Adventures, you are always encouraged to dress however you like)

The Pony Bar – Noonish– 637 10th Ave.- Between 45^th and 46^th. www.theponybar.com/ - Getting the day started at a wonderful bar in Hell’s Kitchen that’s known for it’s easy going vibe and huge selection of American Craft Beers. We’re going to kick off the day with a few surprises to get you in the race day mood.

The 142^nd Belmont Stakes – Belmont Park, Elmontm NY. http://www.belmontstakes.com The big attraction of the day! and plan to arrive in the afternoon for race day excitement. We will invade the track and set up a spot in the back area near the horse’s walk area. We’ll be staying through the big race and plan to leave at 6:45 PM sharp so we can beat all the train traffic back. Round trip train tickets are $12 and entrance to the park is $10. An amazing deal. However, any gambling debts you incur are between you and guys named Rocco and Big Ted.

Wogies Bar & Grill- 8:00 PM - 39 Greenwich Avenue - www.wogies.com – Voted time and time again as having the best Cheesesteaks in New York City. This is where the great steaks come in, people! We relax in the post race glow over food from the grille, drinks and more at this West Village staple with the funky name. Our goal is to play nothing by Horse Racing themed songs on the juke box.

White Horse Tavern- 9:45 PM - http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-horse-tavern-new-york -567 Hudson near 11th. – From Wogie’s, it’s a short walk to this classic tavern where Dylan Thomas is rumored to have died. This watering hole is known for being the home to famous musician, noted authors, cheap drinks and being close to a great view on the Hudson River. As we wind down the evening, we’ll have a few surprises here as well.