NEW YORK -- The stage was set for a memorable day at Belmont Park with Funny Cide going for the Triple Crown and a record crowd expected.

All the elements were in place, except good weather.

Showers began Saturday morning and put a damper on the festivities.

"So many things went right," said Bill Nader, senior vice president for the New York Racing Association. "The buildup, the awareness, the incredible amount of media coverage surrounding the event, the support of the local communities, the tireless work of Funny Cide's owners in helping promote the race. The stage was set. We just didn't get the weather."

Nader had hoped to break the Belmont attendance record of 103,222, set last year when War Emblem's failed in his bid for the Triple Crown. The rain washed away any hope of surpassing the attendance mark.

"It definitely kept a lot of people away," Nader said. "I've got to think at least 20,000 people probably won't show up today because of the rain."

The rain forced NYRA to eliminate or curtail a number of planned activities, including the Harlem Jazz and Music Festival and sky divers.

The rain began long before the first of 13 races went off and continued throughout the afternoon. Soaked fans fled to the grandstand enclosure for cover or huddled under large umbrellas.

Keeping the track sealed
The steady rain led to a downgrading of the racing surface from "good" to "sloppy" during the afternoon.

The maintenance crew sealed the track overnight by dragging heavy plates behind tractors to compress the top layer of dirt. Sealing prevents moisture from seeping deep into the cushion.

The crew sent out tractor harrows to "open" the track for racing, but abandoned that plan after four races.The track was resealed about more than four hours before the Belmont Stakes.

A sealed track, which keeps the rainwater on the surface, tends to favor front-running horses.

Belmont celebrities
The Belmont always brings out celebrities, and this year was no exception.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. George Pataki, former Gov. Hugh Carey, and Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana braved the rainy conditions.

Show business personalities included Carson Daly, Sarah Jessica Parker and Meridith Viera.

It wouldn't be a day at the races without the boys from the Sopranos: Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts), Steven Schrippa (Bacala), John Ventimiglia (Artie Bucco) and Michael Imperiole (Christopher Moltisanti).