Horse Wagering in Pop Culture

Horse wagering in popular culture is a product of the many books, movies and television cartoons that have featured some aspect of horse racing and betting. From Looney Tunes to Seinfeld and from the music of The Band to blockbuster films like 2003’s Seabiscuit, horse wagering has firmly entrenched itself into American pop culture.

The 1973 Belmont Stakes: Secretariat's Greatest Triumph

Secretariat, one of the most renowned horses in the long history of horseracing, achieved his greatest triumph at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. The beautiful chestnut colt had already won the Kentucky Derby on May 5 and the Preakness on May 19, but as all horseracing aficionados know, the Belmont Stakes is no ordinary race. Not only is it the third race in the Triple Crown, the Belmont is also the longest at 1½ miles. The extra distance had been the stumbling block for many a horse since the very first "Run for the Carnations" in 1867 and no horse had won the prestigious Triple Crown since the legendary Citation 25 years earlier in 1948.

The 2007 Belmont Stakes Continues an American Tradition

The 139th running of the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 9, 2007 at historic Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, perpetuates an American tradition that stretches back nearly to Civil War times. It was in 1867, barely 2 years after Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, that the very first Belmont Stakes was run. Although the Belmont is the third leg in horseracing's Triple Crown, it has the singular honor of being the oldest of the three races: six years older than the Preakness and pre-dating the Kentucky Derby by 8 years.

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