Editing Belmont Stakes (section)

=== 1867–1929: early years ===
[[File:August Belmont Trophy.png|thumb|right|160px|[[August Belmont Trophy]], presented annually to the winning owner since 1926.]]
The first Belmont Stakes was held at [[Jerome Park Racetrack]] in [[the Bronx]], built in 1866 by stock market speculator [[Leonard Jerome]] (1817–1891) and financed by [[August Belmont Sr.]] (1816–1890), for whom the race was named. The first race in 1867 saw the [[filly]] [[Ruthless (horse)|Ruthless]] win, while the following year was won by [[General Duke (horse)|General Duke]].<ref name=PastWinners /> The first post parade in the [[United States]] was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880. The race continued to be held at Jerome Park until 1890, when it was moved to the nearby facility, [[Morris Park Racecourse]].<ref name="Belmont Stakes Records">{{cite web |url=http://www.belmontstakes.com/history/records.aspx |title=Belmont Stakes Records & Traditions |publisher=New York Racing Association |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> The 1895 race was almost not held because of new laws that banned bookmaking in New York: it was eventually rescheduled for November 2.<ref name="Sowers">{{cite book|last1=Sowers|first1=Richard|title=The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes : a comprehensive history|date=2014|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-0-7864-7698-5}}<!--|access-date=6 June 2016--></ref> The race remained at Morris Park Racecourse until the May 1905 opening of the new [[Belmont Park]], {{convert|430|acre|km2|adj=on}} racetrack in Elmont, New York, on [[Long Island]], just outside the New York City borough of [[Queens]].<ref name="Belmont Stakes Records" /> When anti-gambling legislation was passed in New York State, Belmont Racetrack was closed, and the race was cancelled in 1911 and 1912.<ref>{{cite web|title=Horse Racing's Triple Crown: 10 Fast Facts – History in the Headlines|url=http://www.history.com/news/horse-racings-triple-crown-10-fast-facts|website=history.com|access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>  

The first winner of the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|Triple Crown]] was [[Sir Barton]], in 1919, before the series was recognized as such.<ref>{{cite web|title=History Challenge: The first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton|url=http://www.drf.com/news/history-challenge-first-triple-crown-winner-sir-barton|website=Daily Racing Form|access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> In 1920, the Belmont was won by the great [[Man o' War]], who won by 20 lengths, setting a new stakes and American record, while under a stout pull.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chart of the 1920 Belmont Stakes|url=http://www.belmontstakes.com/UserFiles/file/1920.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310140606/http://www.belmontstakes.com/UserFiles/file/1920.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2012|website=Belmont Stakes|access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

Starting in 1926, the winner of the Belmont Stakes has been presented with [[August Belmont Trophy]]. The owner may keep the trophy for one year, and also receives a silver miniature for permanent use.<ref name="Belmont Stakes Records" />