You don’t have to be some Runyonesque, cigar-chomping gambling fanatic to enjoy a day at beautiful Belmont Park, which opened its doors Wednesday for another exciting 55-day meet of Thoroughbred racing.
If you think the races are the only reason to hit Belmont, think again. With a spacious backyard, complete with picnic tables and a playground for the kids, Belmont is tres family-friendly. You can pack a cooler and hook up with some buddies, or just grab a deck chair, get some sun and wager away.
The 135th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes (this year on June 7) is the highlight of the meet. Last year, 103,222 people, the largest crowd ever to witness a sporting event in New York, watched as War Emblem fell short of his quest to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in the history of the sport.
Every Friday during the meet, the first race time shifts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for Sunset Racing at Belmont. There are happy hour-like food and drink specials from 5 to 7 p.m., as well as a live concert at the conclusion of racing (approximately 7:15), in the Festival Tent.
Sunday at Belmont is “Family Fun Day,” featuring all kinds of events in the park area. For early risers, another attraction is “Breakfast at Belmont,” on weekends and holidays, where fans can have breakfast and watch the morning workouts.
The races are held Wednesday through Sunday through July 20. Admission is $2. General parking is $2, preferred parking is $4 and valet parking is $6. Gates open at 11 a.m.
Exit 26 of the Cross Island Parkway at Hempstead Turnpike; call(516) 488-6000 or visit http://www.nyra.com/belmont for details and directions.
Horse sense
* You can try to pore over the program, but you’ll probably have just as much luck using less scientific methods. Bet by favorite names, color of horse’s silks, hometowns, or use the old piñata method – close your eyes and point at the form with your pen.
* Minimum bet is $1. The easiest way to win is a show bet. If your horse finishes third or better, you triumph. You can also try various two-horse and three-horse wagers, with exotic names like quinellas and trifectas. There are more complicated six-horse bets, too, but slow down there, tiger …
* When you step to a window where tickets are sold and cashed, give your information in this order: race number, amount of bet, type of bet, horse number (“Race 5 … $2 … to win … on No. 10” ).
* Check out the paddock (behind the grandstand), to watch the horses get saddled up. Don’t forget to walk down by the rails, to feel the intensity of thumping thoroughbreds close-up, and check out the third level to see the hard-core, handicapping-bet vets.
* Bring the New York Post racing pages with you (they’re good luck!).
