Belmar was trained by Edward Feakes and ridden by future U.S. Racing Hall of FamejockeyFred Taral. He earned his first victory just four days before he ran in the 1895 Preakness. He nonetheless went off as the second choice and won by a length.[3] That year, the Belmont was held on November 2 because, according to the official chart, "New York Jockey Club closed out its affairs. Race run under the jurisdiction of the Westchester Racing Association." Belmar, who was the fourth choice in a field of five, won by a neck over the favorite, Counter Tenor, while carrying 7 pounds less.[2]
In his later racing career, Belmar was owned by the handicapper "Pittsburgh Phil" and was trained by William "Bill" Smith. In a 1908 interview, Bill Smith said that Belmar was one of the best horses he ever trained and was notorious for winning his races in a close finish, usually by a head or neck. Belmar was standing at the farm of T.L. Watt in Westchester County in 1908 as a stallion for the breeding bureau.[4]
^ abSowers, Richard (2014). The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes : a comprehensive history. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 46. ISBN0786476982.
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