Belmont Jewel

Triple Crown Winner?

I have spent the last couple hours watching reruns of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes as well as the buildup to the Belmont.  Like most people, my money is of course on the big chestnut colt Justify.  I placed my money on him as soon as the Derby contenders were named.  Not only that, I thought the horse had that special something needed to win the Triple Crown.

Since then, he was been proving my hunch right by winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown.  Now, I am anxiously awaiting the call for “rider’s up” in the Belmont Stakes.  I don’t think I have followed a horse as much as Justify.  I loved American Pharoah, but at that time, I was still slightly skeptical that he could win the whole thing.  Now that the 37-year drought is over, I have placed my Triple Crown hopes in Justify.  I think he’s big enough, strong enough, and has a legendary trainer and jockey to take him the whole way.  But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

Belmont Jewel

The Belmont Jewel is the signature drink of the Belmont Stakes.  It is made with Woodford Reserve, lemonade, pomegranate juice, orange zest, and lemon peel.  It’s served on the rocks and it’s pretty darn good.

So saddle up for watching the third leg of the Triple Crown with a Belmont Jewel in hand.  Hopefully, you will be pouring yourself a second drink to celebrate the thirteenth winner of the Triple Crown.

Belmont Jewel

Recipe from the official Belmont Stakes site!

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces bourbon*
• 2 ounces lemonade
• 1 ounce pomegranate juice
• Orange zest
• Orange or lemon peel

Directions:

1. Combine first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour into a glass filled with ice.  Garnish with lemon or orange peel.

*Official recipe calls for Woodford Reserve