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. On Saturday, June 10, 2023, BELMONT STAKES moved to FOX for the network's inaugural coverage of the race.
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Today (Saturday, June 8, 2024) from 6-7pm ET/3-4pm PT, FOX premieres the 156th Running of the BELMONT STAKES. For the first time in history, the third leg of the Triple Crown this year is being held at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park undergoes renovations.

Beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT with BELMONT DAY ON FOX, the network's pre-race show coverage is anchored by veteran studio host Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss and retired jockey Richard Migliore, who won more than 4,400 races over a career spanning three decades.

Hosting from the paddock, Charissa Thompson is joined by FOX Sports wagering expert Chris "The Bear" Fallica and handicapper Jonathon Kinchen, who will be providing up-to-the-minute wagering expertise. Reporter Tom Rinaldi returns to share stories from within and beyond the track. Racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale also reports live on horseback from undercard races and provides expert insight from the paddock.Finally, track announcer Frank Mirahmadi is in the booth for his first call of the Belmont Stakes. A familiar voice for horse racing fans, Mirahmadi is the full-time announcer at Santa Anita Park in California and also announces the annual summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. In addition to calling the Belmont Stakes, Mirahmadi announces all races aired during BELMONT DAY ON FOX, scheduled from 4-7pm ET/1-4pm PT on Saturday, June 8.