Big Brown Helps to Make Belmont Stakes History

The 2008 Belmont Stakes may go down as one of the most nail-biting events for horse racing fans, and the most disappointing loss for Big Brown...what with that illusive Triple Crown on the line. Nonetheless, the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner and 2008 Preakness Stakes winner did help to set some impressive on-track wagering numbers.

On-track wagering for the 2008 Belmont Stakes was the second highest in Belmont Park history, a 49.9% increase over 2007 ($13,256,019 from $8,843,720 in 2007). The total handle increased by 32.6% to $100,378,472 (up from $75,686,429 in 2007).

"Despite a downturn in the economy and softness in the thoroughbred racing industry, we're pleased with the modest increase of the Belmont Park Spring/Summer meeting," NYRA president and chief executive Charles Hayward said in a statement. "Clearly a big driver of the numbers was Big Brown's Belmont Stakes Triple Crown attempt, but this was somewhat offset by the loss of a racing day."

Perhaps one of the more impressive numbers was the attendance for Belmont Stakes Day. A crowd of 94,476 was on hand to watch Big Brown make a run for the Triple Crown (compared to an attendance of 46,870 in 2007).

Next up: the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships!