Promising already to be one of the best horseracing events of the past decade, the 2007 Belmont Stakes has race fans chomping at the bit. In June on the track at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, the Run for the Carnations will determine whether one three-year-old thoroughbred has the grit and the gumption to pass the Test of the Champion.

The last and most difficult leg of the three Triple Crown races, the Belmont Stakes has defeated many horses and riders who showed up full of confidence from victories at the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness. Since its start more than 125 years ago, only 11 horses have won this prestigious title and none since 1978. "Affirmed" won the crown of immortality in 1978 and nine horses have won both at Churchill Downs in Kentucky and at Pimlico in Maryland since then, but none of these horses have been fleet enough of foot to win the final and most forbidding of these races. The Belmont Stakes continues to be the bane of many hopeful owners and jockeys and will prove yet again to be this year's most decisive horse race.

Held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, this year's Belmont Stakes will once again determine which world-class jockey, atop a colt or gelding, will climb down and hold aloft the silver Tiffany bowl, claiming title to the most-grueling race in the series. Not usually accustomed to the long lap, three-year-old steeds are particularly challenged by the distance. To hold a speed fast enough for long enough on that mile of dirt proves year after year to be the true test for a young Grade 1 champion and the equine expert with reins in hand.

If you plan to go to Belmont Park in June, start planning now and bet that this year will be the year when the three peat finally comes again. While the park has capacity of 90,000, the stands only accommodate 32,000, so know that buying a stadium seat early is good advice to heed. Parking is even more limited, so consider a package deal that gets you there, secures you a place to stay, arranges transportation to the park, and gets you a great seat in the house. Don't be a horse's ass. Applications for the reserved seat drawing must be received by late February so make your vacation plans now, start practicing New York, New York, and then gear up and get ready to be a witness to horseracing history.