Adding Tradition…The Belmont Stakes

Jun
2011
09

posted by on Belmont Stakes, family traditions, fun food, horse racing, Tradtions, Triple Crown

3 comments

I love horse racing! It is so much fun to watch and no other sport is filled with such rich history. Every year I can’t wait to watch the races of the triple crown and make some delicious food to go with it. I also find that the kids get really into the races as well. In fact, it is one of the only sports hubby and I can get them to sit and watch with us.

With two kids running around I am always looking for a fun and simple way to make days special and cooking traditional food to go with the race is an easy way to do it. During the Kentucky Derby I made a bourbon punch for me and hubby. I made a “virgin” version for the kids. They loved drinking out of fancy glasses decorated with sprigs of mint.

During the Preakness, I made Maryland crabcakes using the Pimlico Racetrack recipe. For sides I stayed simple and made my mother-in-law’s cucumber salad and for dessert a fruit salad. The crabcakes are delicious enough to stand on their own.

Now it is time for the Belmont Stakes. This is the most casual of all the triple crown races and it’s a great excuse to grill outside. New York is the theme of the Belmont so NY strip steaks is the perfect main dish. Mashed potatoes made from delicious baby red potatoes and a summer salad. This year I will be making meatballs to munch on before the race. The kids always love anything you can eat on a toothpick. What’s a great dinner without a grand dessert! Finish off your race day with a classic New York cheesecake! 

Cocktails are just as important as the food, well, more important in my book! The official drink of the Belmont Stakes was changed from the White Carnation to the Belmont Breeze in 1997. So you can take your pick! The Belmont Breeze is much more modern and perfect for summer. It is also an easy drink to adapt for the kiddos.

The winner of the Belmont always receives a blanket of white carnation so I will have white carnations on hand to give to whoever picks the winner. White carnations are an inexpensive flower and are a great way to decorate your table for race day.

The table is set, the food is out and the races are about to start! Time to pick your horse! This is another great way to include the kids. Tell them all of the horses names as well as the color of the riders silks. Sometimes the color of the silks is more important than the odds. Ansley likes to pick purple and Cole will always side with blue no matter what the name!

The best thing about a triple crown party is that it doesn’t consume the whole day. You get to eat, drink, relax and for 2 1/2 minutes watch the horses run for glory. It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy and it’s a simple way to add tradition to your family. Food, family and fun…I can’t think of a better way to kick off summer!


The Belmont Breeze is the official drink of the Belmont Stakes. Created by New York’s premiere beverage authority Dale DeGroff, the profile of the Belmont Breeze comes from the colonial recipe: one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak.

The ingredients are:
1 1/2 ounces of a good American blended whiskey
3/4 ounces Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry
1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
1 ounce of simple syrup (1 ounce of sweet and sour mix may be substituted for the lemon juice and simple syrup)
1 1/2 ounces fresh orange juice
1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice

1 ounce 7-Up
1 ounce Club Soda

Shake first six ingredients with ice, then top with 7-Up and club soda. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.
For the Kids:
Use the orange Juice, cranberry juice and 7-up. Serve over ice and garnish with mint sprig and lemon wedge.


  • Anonymous

    This was SO helpful! My daughter and her friend (10 yrs old) are planning to get together for the Belmont Stakes and make their own little party out of it. Not being the hostess I was wondering what to send my daughter over with! You saved me!! She is planning to bring ingredients for your Belmont Stakes Kiddie Cocktail, white carnations AND NY Style Cheesecake for 2. Thank you thank you thank you!

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