Excitement ramps up for Belmont Stakes around upstate

While today is the big day for the Belmont Stakes, the excitement has been ramping up since Thursday.

NYRA officials say that 10 times as many people are attending the pre-Stakes race events than normally do when its held downstate. A record 22,000 people attended on Thursday, with today set to be another record breaker.

And the excitement continues at the Saratoga Race Course.

“Saratoga and the Capital Region have always been known for their love and appreciation of horse racing,” Najja Thompson, executive director, NY Thoroughbreds Breeder, said. “We get great crowds throughout the summer, so to have the opportunity to have the Belmont Stakes race run here, everyone is just itching to be here and there’s a tremendous anticipation.”

So who will be racing for the trophy?

Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey will start in the 1 pole position, followed by Resilience and Mystik Dan in the three, the same position where the colt won the Kentucky Derby. The Wine Steward will be in the four, following by Antiquarian, Dornoch, Protective and Honor Marie. Morning line favorite Sierra Leone is starting from 9 and Mindframe at 10.

A $2 million purse is up for grabs.