Editorial: What To Do During Belmont Stakes Week

Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00

Being a native of Elmont, if there’s one thing to always get excited about, it’s Belmont Stakes Week. There’s so much to do and to block out time to do it becomes a welcomed task.

From June 2-9, there are endless amounts of activities ranging from the Belmont Stakes Parade on June 2, to the film festival on June 6 and of course, the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

The pulse of Elmont ticks when each horse’s hoof hits the ground on a select Saturday in June each year. In 2011, 55,779 fans watched the 143rd Belmont Stakes live.

In 2010, 13-1 underdog Drosselmeyer took the third leg of the Triple Crown and 2011 saw much of the same with 24-1 shot Ruler on Ice.

Ruler on Ice delivered a huge upset, plowing through the mud to a three-quarter-length victory over Stay Thirsty. Brilliant Speed came in to show.

Ruler on Ice’s victory made it three years in a row a different horse has won each of the Triple Crown races, and this year, it will be a 33-year gap since Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 1978.

Stakes-goers and partiers were privy to good food, great fun and a spectacular race in 2011. Will the 144th rendition at Belmont yield much of the same? Head out to the park three weeks from now.

Here’s a list of stuff to consider:

June 2
Belmont Stakes Parade

Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont
10 a.m.
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June 3
Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run For Prostate Cancer

Belmont Park (All runners finish on the track at the finish line)
7 p.m.

June 4
Fire And Ice To Benefit The Little Baby Face Foundation

Garden City Hotel Patio
7 p.m.
Attire: Red and White
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Equine Art Exhibit, Meet The Artist

Garden City Hotel
Attire: Posh
7 to 9 p.m.
Contact Sunflower Fine Art at 516-747-7406

June 6
Elmont Film Festival

Elmont Library
2 to 9 p.m.

Pride: Artwork Of The Backstretch Of Aqueduct Racetrack And Belmont Park

Reception and Exhibit
Hofstra University
6 p.m.
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June 7
Annual Jockey Visit To Ronald McDonald House

Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park
10 a.m.

Hat And Author Luncheon

Kidney and Urology Foundation of America
The Mansion at Woodlands
Woodbury
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact  Legendary Events at 516-222-0550

Charity Benefit For The Jockey Club Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Services Team

Rubin Museum of Art
New York
Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres
Business Attire
Contact the Jockey Club at 212-521-5305

June 8
Belmont Child Care Association Reception honoring Michael Dubb

Sponsored by NYRA
Belmont Child Care Association
2150 Hempstead Turnpike
6 to 9 p.m.

Garden City Belmont Festival

Seventh Street
Garden City
6 to 10 p.m.

Belmont Stakes Eve Concert Featuring Cold Spring Harbor Band

Your Mother’s House
2349 Jericho Turnpike
Garden City Park
Contact the restaurant at 516-493-9030

June 9

144th Belmont Stakes
Belmont Park

Floral Park Art League

Exhibit to Celebrate Thoroughbred Horse Racing
Memorial Park
Floral Park
3 to 7 p.m.

June 10

Floral Park Belmont Festival
Tulip Avenue
Floral Park
2 to 7 p.m.

Floral Park Art League

Exhibit to Celebrate Thoroughbred Horse Racing
Memorial Park
Floral Park, NY
2 to 6 p.m.

—RF