One of the stops we're particularly excited for on the upcoming Big Adventure this Saturday is the White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village. Sure, it finds into our horse themed day, but the location has long been on our list. Reputed as historic but not stuffy, you're almost guaranteed some begrudging friendly service, inexpensive drinks and great stories. Read more here: http://www.newyorkontap.com/reviews2show.asp?show=120
What do YOU think?
The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #8 – So, who is arguably the greatest horse to ever be a part of horse racing? Black Beauty? Trigger? Mr. Ed? Amazingly enough, none of the above. Most people agree that Triple-Crown Winner Secretariat is top equine acheiver.In 1973, Secretariat set a track and world record of 2:24 for the mile and a half with his 31-length victory, a record that still stands today.
Ultimately, he sired as many as 600 foals during his retirement. That's some good living right there. Though his blood flows through other notable racehorses---including 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones.
That's why you can find this big ole statue of the horse at both Belmont and Churchhill Downs. Sadly, A racehorse named City On The Line was euthanized in May 2009 after crashing into a bronze statue of Secretariat in the Belmont Park paddock. Wow, even we are amazed at amount of trivia we know...
The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #7 – The officiall flower of the Belmont Stakes? The carnation. It’s a logical choice to crown the winner of the 1½-mile race with these because pure white carnations traditionally stand for love and luck, but they are also hardy, long-lasting flowers. So, the winner get not only a huge cash purse, a glowing trophy but also some flowers.
It takes approximately 700 carnations imported from Colombia to create the 40 pound blanket. The blanket is then draped over the winner of the Belmont Stakes in the winner's circle. The Big Adventure is looking into acquiring a carnation blanket for their own personal use because it sounds kinda comfortable and warm.
For fans looking to catch a glimpse of the official blanket, the best place is to catch several NYRA staffers tour the building with the carnation mantle, stopping for about 20 minutes on all four floors of the Clubhouse to post for photos and answer questions like "Hey, can I have that when you're done with it?"
With The Belmont Stakes and Delicious Steaks Big Adventure less than a week away, we thought we'd share some of our best handicapping and betting tips. The most important thing to know is that the actual Belmont Stakes Race is just one of about 11 Races Being run throughout the day. We plan to be there for about five or six of 'em. The ponies run about 45 minutes or so.
So, how to wager? Box Trifecta on a favorite? Gambe on a long shot with a terffic sounding name? We're a big fan of the name Uptowncharlybrown.The odds-on-favorite is often a safe bet, but combining bets makes for a thrill also. Here is all the information you need to know with updated information on the field of racers. During race day, cheap programs are also available that can give you a crap ton of more detailed info
Happy Memorial Day Weekend from The Big Adventure!
Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #6 – By the numbers: Triple Crown Winners in 20th Century: 11. (but the chance for this one is already gone). Winner's Purse of the first Belmont Stakes: $1,850 Biggest Single Purse Since $1,764,800 in 1992. Largest Margin of Victory Every: Secretariat in 1973 by a whopping 31 lengths (that is one boring race). And the most interesting stat that could be helpful when betting: Of the 141 previous runnings of the Belmont Stakes, 60 have been won by the betting favorite (42.5 percent). A nice tip for race day...
Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #5 – The Belmont Stakes is often called the Jewel of The Triple Crown. Why? Well, for one reason the Belmont it is the oldest of the three Crown events. The Belmont predates the Preakness by six years and the legendary Kentucky Derby by eight. The first running of the Belmont Stakes was in 1867 at Jerome Park in the Bronx near Fordham U. (Go rams). The also was inconveniently on a Thursday. Which is the main reason it was not on ESPN that year.
The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #4 – The Belmont Stakes trophy is a Tiffany-made silver bowl, supported by three lovely horses representing the three foundation thoroughbreds - Eclipse, Herod and Matchem. We had no clue there were three foundation thoroughbreads. Learning so much! Furthermore, the bowl, with cover, is 18 inches high, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. The trophy is a solid silver bowl, and was presented by the Belmont family as a perpetual award for the Belmont Stakes in 1926. Our goal is to make sure everyone who attends the Big Adventure gets one of their very own Belmont Stakes Trophy. Lofty goals are the only kind we know...
The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #3 – Since 1905, 54 bays have won the Belmont Stakes. Chestnut winners account for fifty of the race's champions, and 28 dark bay, or brown horses have won the stakes. There have also been three black winners, two gray champions, and one roan victor. The important thing here is that The Big Adventure has absoloutely no idea what any of that meant. Horse racing experts, we are not. Come next Saturday, we'll be betting on the pretty ones.
Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
Fact #2 – The Largest Crowd Ever at Belmont Stakes was in 2004 when 120,139 spectator visited the track to see Smarty Jones take a chance to become Triple Crown winner - Smarty finished 2nd. That's more people than New Yankee Stadium and CitiField combined can host! Also larger than the Big House at University of Michigan - The largest sports venue. And..yes..also larger than the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH
The Big Adventure Presents - Countdown to The Belmont Stakes - 12 Days of Interesting Facts!
So, we're getting close to the next Big Adventure with the big day a week from next Saturday. To get in the spirit, we thought we'd post a interesting fact a day about the New York Race tradition at the Belmont. Hope this satisfies you for now as full details on our day will be coming this Wednesday.
Fact #1 – The First Winner of the Belmont Stakes was Ruthless who won in 1867 in 3 minutes and five seconds. Ruthless also won the Triple Crown leaving old timey people everywhere to exclaim: “Great Pope Pius IX! I'd wager 10 bits that This fine steed makes Jefferson Davis look like Ulysses Grant!”
Considering making this an early stop on the Big Adventure on June 5th- Waldy's Wood-Fired Pizza & Penne. Start the day with some delicious Wood Oven Pizza that has custom pies and $10 Pitchers on the weekends. Room for all and a short hop to the Belmont Bound Train. Besides, always wanted to meet a guy named Waldy. What do YOU think?
