The Race to The Belmont Stakes

(credit: Flickr/Wally Gobetz)

Getting to Belmont might seem like the biggest race of the day, but don’t worry, our money is on you. Follow these directions to get to the Park and remember to get there as early as possible to beat the rush and get the most out of the experience.

Driving Directions

From Manhattan: Take the Queens Midtown Tunnel to the Long Island Expressway; go east to the Cross Island Parkway and exit South to Exit 26-D.
From Brooklyn: Take the Belt Parkway east to the Cross Island Parkway and exit North to Exit 26=D.
From Queens: Take the Grand Central Parkway east to the Cross Island Parkway; exit South to Exit 26-D.
Parking for the day will begin at $10.

Long Island Railroad

On Friday June 4 and Saturday June 5—Belmont Stakes Day—the LIRR will provide direct service to Belmont.

By Subway

F Train : Take the F train to 169th Street or 179th Street and take the N6 or Q2 bus to Belmont.
E Train : Take the E train to Jamaica Center (Parsons Blvd) and then take the Q110 bus to Belmont.
Click here (http://www.belmontstakes.com/experience/directions.aspx) for a full list of directions from any location.

Tickets

(credit: DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

With all the media hype surrounding the now forgone I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown hopes, tickets for this year’s event are a hot commodity. Your best bet is likely to check StubHub. General admission tickets will be available for $10 on the day of the race. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

General Admission Tickets

General Admission tickets will begin at $10 and will be available on a first-come, first-sold basis either in advanced or on the day of the event. While these tickets don’t include reserved seating, there will be limited seating available in the spacious viewing areas reserved for general admission.

Reserved Seating

Reserved seating tickets are available now on TicketMaster, with prices ranging from $23.50 – $125. With these tickets, you’ll be able to enjoy the race from the comfort of your own seat.

Dining Packages

Dining packages, beginning at $55 per person, will be available for large groups attending the Belmont Stakes. Depending on the package your group books, full meals can be included. However, there is limited space, so have your group register as soon as you can!

How to dress

(credit: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Elegant attire is a tradition at the Belmont Stakes; there are certain parts of the park that don’t allow shorts or short-sleeved shirts and require men to wear a collared shirts. In addition to the dress code, women are often encouraged to wear a hat—not only for tradition and fashion, but also for protection from the intense summer sun.

More: NYC’s 5 Best Stores For Hat Shopping

Favorites to Win

(credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Never bet on a horse race before? You can always take your pick based off the names, or you can go the old-fashioned way and handicap the race.

Belmont Park Dos and Don’ts

DO

• Get to the Park early—lines are going to be long.
• Review the glossary of racing terminology, available here on the Belmont Stakes website.
• Take a quick read of the 10 things you need to know about the history of the Belmont Stakes.

DON’T

• Make any wagers without any experience—learn more about how to wager here.
• Tailgate—it’s not allowed at the Belmont Stakes, but instead try one of the food vendors at the Park.
• Bring any coolers if you have reserved seats, they aren’t allowed in the building.

Other Events at Belmont Park

(credit: Belmont Stakes)

Think the races are the only big event to catch at Belmont Park? Think again, the Belmont Stakes celebrate the community with a week-long series of events in honor of the race. Here are 2012′s highlights:

Elmont Belmont Stakes Parade

A parade will kick off at 11 a.m. June 2 to celebrate the Elmont community and their dedication to the Belmont Stakes. This event will be followed by Elmont Community Day at Belmont Park, which begins at noon.

Annual Jockey Visit to Ronald McDonald House of LI

World-class jockeys from Belmont Park will visit families at the The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island (RMH-LI) as part of the annual Jockey Day event in New Hyde Park, NY on Thursday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Garden City Belmont Festival

The 15th annual Garden City Belmont Festival will feature bands, activities, pony rides, face painters, Irish Dancers and food. Kicks off at 6 p.m. on Garden City’s Seventh Street.