How will weather play out at the 151st Belmont Stakes?

While a triple crown winner is not in contention at this year's 151st Belmont Stakes, thousands will head to Elmont, New York, to watch the historic and often most challenging and grueling of the three races unfold.

Unlike the muddy conditions for this year's Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes is forecast to take place under bright sunshine.

Conditions may be near perfect for fans, riders and horses for the race scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

"We expect sunshine, low humidity and a light breeze for post time at Belmont Park, New York," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.

"The weather should be enjoyable for all," Dombek said.

Fans should remember to bring along sunglasses and sunscreen as essentially the entire day will be sunny.

Even though temperatures will not be extreme with a high forecast to be in the upper 70s F and post time temperatures in the lower to middle 70s, fans are encouraged to stay hydrated.

The track will have a chance to dry off and become fast following wet weather that moved through early Thursday.

Last year, jockey Mike Smith steered Justify to a Triple Crown in Elmont, New York.

Justify joined the elite group of a dozen horses that won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year including American Pharoah, Affirmed, Seattle Slew and Secretariat.

A Triple Crown victory is not in the cards this year with Country House taking the roses at Louisville, Kentucky, and War of Will winning in Baltimore.

While Country House is not racing this weekend, War of Will and Tacitus are among the favored to win the Belmont Stakes, but there are other strong contenders.

Secretariat holds the record for the all-time fastest 1.5-mile at Belmont at 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Secretariat sprinted away from Sham in the 1973 race and won by an unprecedented 31 lengths.

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