istockphoto/webphotographeer
Saturday, June 5, is the 2010 running of the Belmont Stakes. No Triple Crown is on the line this year. Nor are the Kentucky Derby winner or the Preakness Stakes winner running in the Belmont. So what?
Because winning The Belmont is still a test of stamina, even for a horse who isn’t in the running to win the Triple Crown.
Size matters
The Belmont is a mile-and-a-half race. The Derby is a mile-and-one-quarter. The Preakness is shorter, at a mile-and-three-sixteenths.
At Belmont, there’s a lotta track between that final turn and the finish line. It’s a long way, after a long race.
Well, then, who is running?
As of this writing, some horses a lot of us “met” at the Derby might get a chance to finally show what they’re made of, like Ice Box, Make Music for Me and Stately Victor.
For the rest of the field, check the Belmont Stakes website.
Jerry Bailey rules – but keep him off that platform
Even if my husband didn’t work for ESPN (notice how smoothly I eased that disclaimer into the post), I would still watch their live race coverage to listen to Jerry Bailey.
A Hall of Fame jockey, Bailey moved from the irons to the TV “color” announcer’s chair with ease. He gives good insights into what’s going on out on the track.
I just hope this year’s Belmont’s producers don’t plunk him on that high platform out by the final turn like they did last year. Bailey was isolated out there and didn’t get as much air time that way.
Also, for the major races, the TV announce booths seem to be located near the first turn in close proximity for the pre-race walkovers by trainers and owners. The announce booth is also on the way back.
During Kentucky Derby undercard coverage, eventual Derby winning-trainer Todd Pletcher stopped by the booth to speak to Bailey. Sometimes, even a victorious jockey offers a ride-by comment, like Kent Desormeaux.
So, keep Jerry off that pedastal. 
Keep him where the jockeys, owners and trainers can get at him.
2010 Belmont Stakes TV coverage
Before I give y’all the times and channels, I just want to say “hello” to the new visitors who landed here in search of where to watch The Belmont on TV. You new people, please feel free to take a few moments to scroll through some of the posts and see what’s here. I bet you or some other horse-mad person in your life might enjoy the articles on this blog. Thanks for stopping by. Carry on.
As always, check your local listings. All times are Eastern Daylight Time. Your mileage may vary.
- 11:35 am EDT – full day at Belmont Park – HRTV, both on TV and online (for a fee)
- noon to 5 EDT – ESPN – some of the Belmont races. For a list of the races on the schedule and the races that will be on TV, see the Belmont Stakes website.
- 5 to 7 EDT – ABC – Belmont Stakes coverage with post time for The Belmont at 6:32 pm EDT
Tags: 2010 Belmont Stakes, Belmont Stakes on TV, Belmont Stakes TV coverage, Jerry Bailey, Triple Crown
Leave a Reply