Crowds of well-heeled racegoers have descended on Belmont Park for the annual Belmont Stakes Championship Horse Race in New York.
As sun drenched the historic track on Saturday, the revelers placed bets and soaked up the many drinks and snacks on offer before turning their attention to the action.
Among those who had a prime spot was Bob Baffert, the legendary horse trainer who soared to victory at the Kentucky Derby last month with his prodigal horse Justify.
Justify is racing again on Saturday at Belmont and is primed for glory.
As of the mid afternoon, Baffert had already had successes with other horses.
He won the $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational with Hoppertunity. The 7-year-old bay horse won by 2 1/4 lengths and paid $9.10 to win – a generous price on a Baffert trainee. Earlier, Baffert and jockey Mike Smith teamed to win the $750,000 Ogden Phipps with Abel Tasman.
Of course, the race that Baffert and Smith really want to win is the Belmont Stakes. Smith will be aboard Justify in the colt’s bid to become racing’s 13th Triple Crown winner. Last year, Baffert went 4-for-4 on Belmont Stakes day.
A racegoer celebrates as she watches one of the races on Saturday at the Belmont Stakes before the main event in the evening
Racegoers lapped up the long overdue summer weather and enjoyed drinks around the grounds while keeping shielded from the sun under flamboyant hats and headdresses
Revellers place their bets at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on Saturday at the 150th Belmont Stakes
An unhappy racegoer frowns beneath her colorful hat as she watches the action unfold
Bob Baffert, the legendary horse trainer who took Justify to success at the Kentucky Derby last month, won the Brooklyn Invitational with Hoppertunity. He is pictured during the race on Saturday
A dancer performs with her band at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, as racegoers enjoy the festivities
Race goers enjoy the action from a picnic blanket on Saturday and sit in the shade
Some took naps in the afternoon heat between snacking on homemade lunches
The scene at one of the races on Saturday as fans eagerly watch for their bets to come galloping round
Some young fans appeared to have put their money in the right place and raised their tickets victoriously after one early race
A racing fan smokes a cigar as he watches one of the races on Saturday at the Belmont Stakes
Women film the action as horses gallop round the track in one of the races on Saturday af ternoon
Hungry revellers scoffed curly friends washed down with Coors light while taking puffs from their cigars
A woman in an elaborate red and pink headdress scowls as she and others take in the action
There was a variety of dress code on Saturday with some opting for more casual get ups
Racing fans cheer on their bets as they watch an early race at the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes
Men in brightly colored suits with quirky patterns chat and puff cigars while soaking up the atmosphere
Celebrations were far and wide as revellers took in the early races under the baking sun
Some took beer breaks between placing bets and alternated between reading glasses and sunglasses
Two women share a joke as they take a beverage break on one of the many tables on the grounds
Two women show off their elaborate headdresses at the Belmont Park race track on Saturday
A woman shows off her bright pink, blue and green hat as she watches the action. It was adorned with intricately folded material and feathers
Colorful racegoers take a break from the action on Saturday as they battle the heat at New York’s Belmont Park
A racegoer helps another adjust her ornate headdress which featured a mock-up of the trophy up for grabs
A woman places bets with a stack of cash at one of the betting windows at Belmont Park on Saturday
A man smoking a cigar poses for a photograph at the Belmont Park race track in Elmont, New York, on Thursday