This weekend marks the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown in horse racing, and it’s held right here on Long Island, about one of the only times when the worldwide sporting news spotlight shines bright on Nassau County.
I am not discouraging off-track betting establishments, but this particular event is right here in our backyard and has the potential to make world history again this year when “I’ll Have Another,” the three-year-old colt, jockeyed by Mario Gutierrez, attempts to become the 12th horse in history to secure the Triple Crown victory and a purse of $1 million. This hasn’t happened since 1978, when “Affirmed” won all three jewels of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
I’ll Have Another refers to cookies, which is adorable, but Long Island is overdue for the grand celebration of playing host to a sporting victory of this magnitude. Now, I am not a horse better, never have been, but I get so charged by this elite equine event being held right here in our backyard each year, and this year may be my first for placing a horse bet, just for the sheer thrill of it all.
— CH
