The first running of the Belmont Stakes in 1867 at Jerome Park took place, oddly enough, on a Thursday.

The race was 1 5/8 miles long - currently is only 1.5 miles.

The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown events. It predates the Preakness Stakes (first run in 1873) by six years and the Kentucky Derby (first run in 1875) by eight.

 

Note :Source is from Belmont Website: www.belmontstakes.com/history/records.aspx