What Are the Traditions Followed at Belmont Stakes? ‘Test of the Champions’ and More Events to Watch at Saratoga Racetrack

A warm afternoon in the sun at Saratoga Race Course, onlookers buzzing with excitement as horses emerge onto the dirt for the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 7, 2025. Nicknamed the “Test of the Champion,” this $2 million Grade I race is the last jewel in the Triple Crown, a demanding 1 1/2-mile test that has come to personify American horse racing since its introduction in 1867. Older than the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes wears a heritage rich with tradition, from its legendary trophy to its floral blanket, all thread through the tapestry of its rich history. But why is it so unique?

The Belmont Stakes started at Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, New York, in honor of stock speculator and grandfather of Winston Churchill, and The Jockey Club founder Leonard Jerome. The race itself is named after German immigrant, politician, and ex-Jockey Club president August Belmont. It has changed over the years, relocating to Belmont Park’s famous landmark and, in 2025, for the time being, making Saratoga Race Course its home. But the traditions are the thread of continuity, linking each Belmont Stakes to those that preceded it.

Traditions followed at Belmont Stakes

Perhaps the most beloved of the Belmont Stakes traditions is the post-parade song. Up to 1996, “Sidewalks of New York” established the mood. Fans sang Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” from 1997 to 2009, and in 2010, a solo rendition of Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” occupied the stage for a brief moment before the race returned to “Theme from New York, New York” in 2011. This musical heritage mirrors the state songs of the other legs of the Triple Crown—”My Old Kentucky Home” at the Kentucky Derby and “Maryland, My Maryland” at the Preakness Stakes—enacting a communal experience of pride and place.

And then there’s the August Belmont Memorial Cup, a gorgeous trophy designed by Tiffany & Co using 350 ounces of sterling silver in 1926. It sits atop a representation of the 1869 winner Fenian and rests on pedestals of statues of Herod, Eclipse, and Matchem—symbolizing the foundation sires’ grandsons of the thoroughbred—making it a masterpiece as a perpetual trophy. The trophy is kept for one year by the winning owner, and the owner, trainer, and jockey each also receive a silver replica, a memento of their victory.

Credits: Instagram/Belmont Stakes

No Belmont Stakes would be the same without its iconic white carnations, tokens of love and good fortune. It takes 700 flowers to create the 40-pound blanket that is draped over the winner. NYRA florist Tony Green spends five hours on race day affixing each carnation to seven yards of green velvet, meticulously folded and sewn for support. He also designs a complementary blanket for the Secretariat statue in Belmont’s paddock as a tribute to one of racing’s all-time legends. These are just the traditions. The Belmont Stakes will have a lot more events happening as well.

 ‘Test of the Champion’ and more events to watch at Saratoga Racetrack

Get ready for an electrifying week at Saratoga Race Course, where the 157th Belmont Stakes headlines the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 4 to June 8, 2025. This iconic race, set for Saturday, June 7, demands talent, stamina, and heart from its equine contenders, cementing its place as a cornerstone of thoroughbred racing. But the Belmont’s history is as wild as a photo finish! Once held in November, it even shared the same track and day as the Preakness Stakes in one quirky edition. Talk about a plot twist in racing lore!

The five-day festival at Saratoga, managed by the New York Racing Association, is a spectacle, featuring over 25 stakes races with the richest purses since the festival’s debut in 2014. It’s not just about the racing, though—Thursday, June 5, brings the inaugural Sports Illustrated Revel at the Races, a star-studded bash headlined by G-Eazy. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with tickets starting at $100 and VIP tables available for those craving an extra dose of glitz. This pre-party is your chance to soak up music, celebration, and serious star power.

Saratoga Race Course itself is a legend. As America’s oldest racetrack, it’s been hosting thrilling summers from mid-July to Labor Day for ages. Sports Illustrated even named it one of the Top 10 sporting venues in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. Picture yourself in the vintage grandstands, the crowd roaring as sleek thoroughbreds charge down the stretch. The sprawling grounds buzz with history and excitement, connecting you to the sport’s storied past while delivering heart-pounding moments in the present. Whether you’re a racing fanatic or just chasing the vibe, Saratoga’s magic is undeniable. Don’t miss this chance to witness a tradition that’s as timeless as it is thrilling!