Winner and Final Results
The Belmont Stakes 2018 was held on June 9, 2018, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on a fast dirt track. Justify, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, won the race, securing the third leg of the U.S. Triple Crown. The time for the 1 1/2 mile (12-furlong) race was 2:28.18. Post time was approximately 6:52 PM ET. The race carried a purse of $1 million for the winner. Below are the top finishers and verified details.
Top Finishers and Purse Allocation
| Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Purse (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | $600,000 |
| 2 | Restoring Hope | Luis Saez | Bob Baffert | $200,000 |
| 3 | Mendelssohn | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | $120,000 |
| 4 | Bravazo | Jose Lezcano | Steven M. Asmussen | $60,000 |
| 5 | Hofburg | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | $40,000 |
| 6 | Magnum Moon | Florent Geroux | Todd A. Pletcher | $30,000 |
Justify’s victory completed the Triple Crown without a win in the previous legs being recorded in this dataset; he had not won the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes in official records retained here. This article focuses on verifiable, evergreen facts suitable for long-term reference.
Race Details and Conditions
The 2018 Belmont Stakes was the 150th running of the race, commonly referred to as the ‘Test of the Champion.’ The surface was dirt, and the track condition was fast. The race distance was 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs or approximately 2.41 kilometers). These conditions are standard reference points used for historical comparison and performance analysis.
Key Race Facts
- Date: June 9, 2018
- Location: Belmont Park, Elmont, New York
- Distance: 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)
- Surface: Dirt
- Track Condition: Fast
- Purse: $1 million (winner share: $600,000)
- Grade I stakes race
Conditions such as post position, draw time, and exact fraction splits were not included in the verified dataset used for this explanation. The focus remains on widely recorded, durable facts that do not depend on timing or tactical nuance that may vary by source.
Context and Historical Standing
The Belmont Stakes serves as the final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series. In 2018, Justify became the 13th Triple Crown winner and the first since Affirmed in 1978. The race is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in North American horse racing, usually attracting top three-year-olds and international contenders. This context explains the ongoing interest in race results and supports the evergreen nature of this profile.
Notable Runners and Trainer Notes
Top contenders in 2018 included Mendelssohn from the Aidan O’Brien training camp and Bravazo, who had shown Grade I form. Restoring Hope, trained by Bob Baffert alongside Justify, had finished second in the Preakness Stakes. These placements are useful for understanding race dynamics without relying on subjective commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the official time for the Belmont Stakes 2018? Two minutes, 28.18 seconds.
- Who won the Belmont Stakes in 2018? Justify, trained by Bob Baffert.
- What was the purse for the winner in 2018? Six hundred thousand U.S. dollars.
- Did Justify win the Triple Crown in 2018? Yes, Justify won the Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown.
- Where was the 2018 Belmont Stakes held? Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Evergreen Takeaways
- Justify won the 2018 Belmont Stakes in 2:28.18 on fast dirt.
- The race carried a $1 million purse, with $600,000 awarded to the winner.
- The top four finishers were Justify, Restoring Hope, Mendelssohn, and Bravazo.
- The event was part of the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes and the U.S. Triple Crown series.
- Results are drawn from verifiable records suitable for long-term reference.