LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 11, 2016, as Belmont Stakes Day in the State of New York,
and commending the New York Racing Association upon the occasion of the
148th running of the Belmont Stakes

WHEREAS, The Belmont Stakes is one of the most important sporting events
in New York State; it is the conclusion of thoroughbred racing's presti-
gious three-contest Triple Crown; and
WHEREAS, Preceded by the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, the
Belmont Stakes is nicknamed the "Test of the Champion" due to its gruel-
ing mile and a half distance; and
WHEREAS, The Triple Crown has only been completed 12 times; the 12
horses to accomplish this historic feat are: Sir Barton, 1919; Gallant
Fox, 1930; Omaha, 1935; War Admiral, 1937; Whirlaway, 1941; Count Fleet,
1943; Assault, 1946; Citation, 1948; Secretariat, 1973; Seattle Slew,
1977; Affirmed, 1978; and American Pharoah, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Belmont Stakes has drawn some of the largest sporting
event crowds in New York history, including 120,139 people for the 2004
running of the race; and
WHEREAS, This historic event draws tens of thousands of horse racing
fans annually to Belmont Park and generates millions of dollars for New
York State's economy; and
WHEREAS, The Belmont Stakes is shown to a national television audience
of millions of people on network television; and
WHEREAS, The Belmont Stakes is named after August Belmont I, a finan-
cier who made a fortune in banking in the middle to late 1800s; he also
branched out into politics and New York society; and
WHEREAS, The fourth oldest stakes race in North America, the Belmont
Stakes was first run in 1867 at Jerome Park for a purse of $1500; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Secretariat put together one of the greatest
performances in sports history by taking the Belmont Stakes by 31
lengths in stakes record time to complete the Triple Crown; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, is the 12th
horse to win the Triple Crown, and the first to win the Triple Crown in
37 years; and
WHEREAS, American Pharoah is the first Triple Crown winner since
Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in
1978; and
WHEREAS, Horse racing is an integral part of New York as well as Amer-
ican history; on May 5, 1905, Thomas Edison made one of the first
recorded videos in history at the grand opening of Belmont Park; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper for this Legislative Body to take
note of such a prestigious sporting event which brings great pride to
the horse racing industry as well as all the citizens of this great
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is, in addition, of utmost importance to honor the sport
of horse racing in New York State on its biggest day; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 11, 2016, as
Belmont Stakes Day in the State of New York, and to commend the New York
Racing Association upon the occasion of the 148th running of the Belmont
Stakes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the New York Racing Association.