Time Does Not Stand Still: Belmont Stakes Odds

How important is time in the Belmont Stakes?

Secretariat set a world record for 1 1/2 miles on the dirt when he won the 1973 Belmont in 2:24. Secretariat also holds the fastest half-mile, three-quarter mile, one mile, and 1 1/4-mile fractions in Belmont Stakes history. 

The fractional times for the five-fastest runnings (for the race's regular 1 1/2-mile distance): 

• Secretariat (1973) - :23 3/5, :46 1/5, 1:09 4/5, 1:34 4/5, 1:59, 2:24 
• Easy Goer (1989) - :23 1/5, :47, 1:111/5, 1:35 4/5, 2:00 4/5, 2:26 
• A. P. Indy (1992) - :23 1/5, :47, 1:11 4/5; 1:36 1/5, 2:01 1/5, 2:26 
• Point Given (2001) - :23 4/5, :48, 1:11 3/5, 1:35 2/5, 2:00 3/5, 2:26 2/5 
• Risen Star (1988) - :23 2/5, :47 1/5, 1:11 4/5, 1:36 2/5, 2:01 3/5, 2:26 2/6 
• American Pharoah (2015) - :24, :48 4/5, 1:13 2/5, 1:37 4/5, 2:02 1/5, 2:26 3/5 
• Affirmed (1978) :25, :50, 1:14, 1:37 2/5, 2:01 3/5, 2:26 4/5 

The fastest opening quarter - :23 by Another Review in 1991 (Hansel won) and :23.02 by Bob and John in 2006 (Jazil won).

When the race was held at Aqueduct, Quadrangle (1964) and Hail to All (1965) won in 2:28 2/5. The Belmont was held at Aqueduct from 1963 to 1967.

Winning Post Positions (Since 1905) 

1. (24) 
2. (13) 
3. (16)
4. (10)
5. (15)  
6. (9) 
7. (14)
8. (7)
9. (4)
10. (1) 
11. (3)
12. (1) 

The Luck of the Alphabet

“C” is the most popular first letter for winning Belmont runners, as it represents 20 winners of the race. “S” is second with 18 winners, and “P” is third with 12.

• A - 12 
• B - 10 
• C - 20 
• D – 7 
• E – 5 
• F – 4
• G–8 
• H – 10 
• I – 2
• J – 8
• K–1
• L – 3
• M – 5
• N–3
• O–3
• P – 12
• Q – 1
• R – 5
• S – 18
• T – 11
• U–1
• V – 2
• W – 2
• X – 0
• Y – 0
• Z – 1

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.