Date:	Saturday, June 7, 2008
Place:	Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
Time:	12:00 PM

The Belmont Stakes has become known as the true "Test of the Champion" for its decisive role as the final and longest leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. Big Brown crushed the competition at this year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness and was one of only 27 horses in the history of horse racing to toe the line at Belmont with a shot of the Triple Crown. However, Big Brown’s Triple Crown hopes were shattered when he eased up with just a quarter mile left in the race and D’Tara pulled out the upset victory.

D’Tara led the entire race en route to winning the $1 million grand prize. Ready’s Echo finished in third place behind Dennis of Cork. Big Brown held strong in third place for most of the race but never could break through. The crowd of 94,476 watched as Big Brown became the first Triple Crown hopeful to finish in last place at the Belmont Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes, the oldest race of the Triple Crown series, is named after August Belmont, a leading banker and financier in 19th century New York. The race is the third leg of the Triple Crown, run five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. Recently, the Belmont Stakes have dashed the hopes of three Triple Crown hopefuls – Smarty Jones, Funny Cide and War Emblem.

First run in 1866, the race has evolved and has been shortened from 1 5/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles, which has been the standard since 1925.