THE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY AND PURSE ON OFFER AT THE 2022 BELMONT STAKES

The final leg of the American triple-crown of horse racing takes place on June 11th, as the Belmont Stakes is run in Elmont, New York, but what is the prize money and purse on offer for the field and the winner? Is the triple crown still possible?

Within the past eight years, there have been two winners of the American triple-crown.

To achieve it, a horse must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year.

It has only been done 13 times in history with Justify doing so in 2018, following on from American Pharaoh in 2015.

This year, it will not be possible for a horse to win the triple crown as Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby while Early Voting claimed the Preakness.

Nonetheless, the field will still be trying to win the 2022 Belmont Stakes – so let’s take a look at the prize money and purse available.

2022 BELMONT STAKES PURSE AND PRIZE MONEY

The total purse available for the field in the 2022 Belmont Stakes is $1.5 million USD. That works out as £1.2 million GBP at current exchange rates.

Whichever horse finishes the 1.5 mile course – the longest of the Kentucky, Preakness and Belmont races, will pocket $800,000 in prize money or £649k GBP.

It means the winner of the Belmont Stakes in 2022 will receive a shade over half of the prize money on offer for the entire field.

The top five places are awarded prize money from the purse with it ranging from $280k down to $60k for fifth place.

WHO WON LAST YEAR?

In 2021, the Belmont Stakes was claimed by Essential Quality ridden by Luis Saez.

As the race is only open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds, horses don’t return to defend their title – unlike in the British Grand National at Aintree