Does anyone know how to throw a Belmont party? Is there such a thing? Does anyone even go to the Belmont unless there's a chance of a Triple Crown Winner?

Of all of the races that make up the Triple Crown, the Belmont is the oldest race, but probably the least known race of the three. Surprisingly, the Belmont Stakes draws the 4th greatest number of race fans of all of the yearly horse racing events, trailing only the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Kentucky Oaks.

Everyone has heard about the Kentucky Derby galas with hats and mint juleps. And most people are aware of the Preakness' Black-Eyed Susans, both flowers and drinks. But few people are aware that the Belmont official flowers are white carnations and the official drink is a Belmont Breeze.

Held annually three weeks after the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, is held in Elmont, NY (just outside of New York City). While the Kentucky Derby is often is often visualized as an event for celebrities, Kentucky Colonels, and English Royalty, and the Preakness as a more relaxed summer celebration, there is really nothing in particular that people identify with the Belmont.

The Belmont lacks specific traditions that make an event memorable.

• The location of the race changed a number of times over the years.
• The original official drink was called a "White Carnation," but a replacement drink was sought because the "White Carnations" had to be prepared one drink at a time, and the cream used in the drink would curdle when it came in contact with the ice and alcohol.
• The traditional song was "The Sidewalks of New York originally, but was changed to "New York, New York in 1997.
• The Belmont Breeze was introduced in 1998 which is hardly a "tradition." Not many bartenders even know how to make a Belmont Breeze.
• There is no specific clothing usually worn to the Belmont. It's usually hot in New York in June, so people tend to dress casually in light materials. Most of the horse racing fans are really more interested in the races, and not in what people are wearing.
• There are no infield parties, however the Grandstand Backyard area at the track is where the party people tend to congregate.http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/events/belmont.htm
• There is no particular food associated to the Belmont.

The only other true tradition attributable to the Belmont Stakes besides the blanket of white carnations, is the presentation of the Trophy which was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1869 and has been awarded to the winner since 1926.http://www.belmontstakes.com/history/historicalarticles.aspx

If you have been hosting Triple Crown parties, like a Kentucky Derby party and a Preakness party and want to complete the trio with a Belmont party, whether or not a Triple Crown Winner can be crowned, this is going to be the easiest of them to plan.

The 2010 running of the Belmont will be on June 5, 2010 with TV coverage starting at 12 noon (ET) until 5:00 PM on ESPN with "Today at Belmont Stakes," then continuing coverage from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on ABC.

You only have one thing that is a "must have" for a Belmont party and that is white carnations. White carnations are easy to find and fairly inexpensive. Obviously the two main components for this party are the white carnations and a horse race.

This is a list of things associated with a white carnation:

• White carnations are symbols of undying love and faithfulness
• White carnations also symbolize good luck
• White carnations are one of the four flowers recognized as a proper boutonniere
• White carnations worn by a man, on some occassions, indicated that his mother was dead.
• White carnations are usually worn by funeral parlour directors.
• White carnations were often used in movies for funeral displays for gangsters.
• White carnations were often worn with zoot suits and spats in the 1920's.

Combining the white carnation with a hot June Saturday at a New York racetrack allows for a number of interesting directions your party can take.

The Belmont Breeze was introduced as the official drink of the Belmont in 1998, making in not so much a tradition, but more, a suggestion. The concoction is fairly simple to make and can be made prior to the event, and kept refrigerated until ready to serve. It can be presented in a punch bowl with the fruit and mint garnishments.

"BELMONT BREEZE

• Original recipe by Dale DeGroff

• 1½ oz. Jack Daniel’s or Seagram's 7
• ¾ oz. Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry
• ½ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• 1 ½ oz. Fresh Orange juice
• 1 ½ oz. Cranberry juice
• Equal Amounts of 7UP and Soda

Shake all ingredients with ice and top with half 7UP and half soda, approximately one ounce of each. Garnish with fresh strawberry and a mint sprig and a lemon piece."http://horseracing.about.com/od/triplecrown2000/r/belbreeze.htm

It is not necessary for you to serve "Belmont Breezes" if you feel that a different drink would be more apropo for your party theme. Although whiskey has a reputation of being a "man's drink," the addition of sherry and fruit juices seems to take a little something away.

"Manhattans" could be an alternative drink to serve. They are also easy to make and can be made in advance.

"Perfect Manhattan Recipe

2 oz blended whiskey 1/2 oz sweet vermouth 1/2 oz dry vermouth 1 dash bitters

Swirl with ice to chill, pour into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry."http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5828.html

Any drink would suffice. It's said that "Bloody Marys" also originated in New York City. This is totally left up to your own discretion.

There is no official food associated with the Belmont, leaving your options for your menu wide open.

Food associated with New York City:

• Strip steaks
• Lobster Newburg
• Waldorf Salads
• New York style pastrami, corned beef and bagels
• Street vendor hot dogs
• Italian Sausage
• Chinese food, particularly General Tso's Chicken
• New York Style Cheesecake
• Soft Pretzels

Depending on the size of your Belmont party guest list and the theme you have opted to follow, your choice of cuisine is quite extensive and varied. Even with no theme at all, serving hot dogs and soft pretzels is totally appropriate for your Belmont party. Actual hot dog carts can be rented for the event! For garnishments, have sauerkraut, sweet relish, onion sauce, ketchup and mustard (cheese is optional).

A complete menu of typically Jewish food, like bagels and cream cheese or lox, gefilte fish, deli sandwiches, dill pickles and potato pancakes is fine, too.

Anything that you choose to serve is appropriate.http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/81230/100-best-things-to-eat-and-drink-in-new-york-city

• Have white carnation boutonnieres for your male guests.
• Have plenty of ice
• Keep all salads cold especially those with mayonaise or dairy products
• Have your TV's tuned to the full day of coverage to promote the horse racing mood
• Show a video of the 1973 Belmont with Secretariat