Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from Belmont Stakes Day, held without fans on Saturday at Belmont Park. The 152nd edition of the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, the oldest of the Triple Crown races, served as the opening leg of this year’s Triple Crown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was cut back from a mile and a half to a one-turn, mile-and-an-eighth contest.