Belmont Stakes Traditions

For decades the traditional theme song of the Belmont Stakes was "Sidewalks of New York," but in 1997 track officials made some changes in an attempt to appeal to a younger crowd and decided to use "New York, New York," a song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb and made famous by Frank Sinatra. The song is performed during the post parade, usually by a singer or a star from a current Broadway musical. "Sidewalks of New York" is still used, but now it is played by NYRA bugler Sam Grossman before the Manhattan Handicap, the turf race run right before the Belmont Stakes.

Tenor Michael Amante sang "New York, New York" at the 2007 Belmont Stakes won by Rags to Riches.