The celebration continues on July 4 at New York's Triple Crown headquarters, when Belmont Park's second annual Stars and Stripes Festival takes center stage, spotlighting some of America's top turf runners as they compete against the world's best. Complete with giveaways, family-friendly activities and concluding with a post-race concert, this year's celebration will be better than ever.
Gates will open at 11 am on Stars & Stripes Day, with the first race scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
The Festival will feature a spectacular day of racing including six graded stakes races worth over $3.25 million in purses. The marquee event will be the Grade 1, $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational for 3-year-olds at a distance of 11/4 mile on the turf.
Also featured on the day's card will be the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, which is expected to draw Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Lady Eli, in addition to the Grade 2, $500,000 Suburban Handicap for older horses. NBC will be broadcasting both of these races, starting at 5 p.m.
