What flower is associated with The Belmont Stakes?

The white carnation is the official flower of the Belmont Stakes. At the end of the race, the winning horse is draped with a 40 pound blanket of about 700 white carnations. Because of this, the Belmont Stakes is often referred to as "The Run for the Carnations." The carnations used in the blanket are usually supplied by The Pennock Company, a florist from Philadelphia.

The Kentucky Derby winner receives a blanket of roses, while the winner of the Preakness Stakes gets a blanket of Black-eyed Susans.

The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the three Triple Crown races, at 1 and 1/2 miles in length or 12 furlongs. Because of the difficulty added by the length of the course, the Belmont Stakes is also referred to as the “Test of the Champion." It's always run exactly 3 weeks after the Preakness Stakes.

The next running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012, when the horse named "I'll Have Another" will race for the Triple Crown.