Business was brisk for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday despite the loss of star attraction I'll Have Another.
The retirement of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Friday because of a left leg injury robbed the Belmont of the sure-fire draw of a Triple Crown bid.
Against that backdrop, the numbers were solid.
The crowd of 85,811 was sixth-largest in track history. It was the highest turnout for a Belmont Stakes without a Triple Crown on the line, erasing the mark of 73,857 in 2001.
And they came to gamble.
The $13,777,920 bet at Belmont was the second-highest ever, trailing only the $14,461,402 in 2004 when Birdstone denied Smarty Jones the Triple Crown.
Total betting on the card, including bets from all locations across the country, was $96,485,985, third highest for a Belmont.
Belmont Turnout Sets Record
The crowd of 85,811 was sixth-largest in track history, and was the highest turnout for a Belmont Stakes without a Triple Crown on the line
Copyright AP - Associated Press
