By Liam Spellman
Updated 6/4/24 1:13am ET
The Belmont Stakes will experience history this weekend with Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York hosting the event for the first time ever.
Belmont Park is undergoing a two-year renovation project, causing this event to take place outside the Manhattan area for the first time in its rich history that dates back to 1867. Aqueduct, Morris Park and Jerome Park are all previous alternate venues and located within 30 minutes of the Big Apple.
Saratoga is a three-hour trek from New York City and this year’s race will only be 1.25 miles, as opposed to the usual 1.5 miles. Saratoga is affectionately known as the “Graveyard of Champions” or “Graveyard of Favorites”.
Ten horses make up this year’s field, including both the Kentucky Derby winner, “Mystik Dan” (5-1 odds), and Preakness Stakes winner, “Sieze the Grey” (8-1 odds).
“Sierre Leone” is the morning line favorite at 9-5 odds and will race from the ninth post.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock
