Like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes has its own drink to raise in celebration of its jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown - the Belmont Breeze.

But until recently, neither the Preakness nor the Belmont Stakes was able to establish a drink that seemed to satisfy as many fans as the storied mint julep. The "traditional" drinks of both races have undergone revisions in recent years to reflect changes in fans' preference.

The julep escaped this indignity, perhaps because bourbon seems to be as much a part of the fabric of Kentucky culture as horse racing, or because the julep provides such a pleasing marriage of mint, sugar water and good bourbon. The julep now seems inseparable from the singing of My Old Kentucky Home at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

The Preakness' original Black-Eyed Susan had less staying power, at least until a retooling of the recipe last year into a vodka-based drink that seems to be pleasing more fans than the old whiskey-sour-style potion.

The Belmont Stakes' traditional cocktail had a similar problem. Somehow there was no great clamor for the White Carnation, which combined vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, soda and cream, all stirred together, poured over crushed ice in a highball glass and garnished with an orange slice. In fact, many people seemed unaware that there was a drink labeled the "traditional" cocktail of the Belmont Stakes.

In the mid-'90s, Dale DeGroff, a New York bartender whose customers included officials from the New York Racing Association, decided the Belmont Stakes needed a cocktail that would be as appealing in an upscale bar as at the tracks.

Harking back to the Colonial idea of a whiskey punch, essentially fruit juices and whiskey, DeGroff came up with the Belmont Breeze and prepared the drink at celebrity and VIP events leading up to the race.

"It was wildly popular," he says. "It appealed to men and women. Even it you weren't a whiskey drinker, it was a tasty punch."

The Belmont Breeze now reigns as the traditional drink of the Belmont Stakes. You can raise one Saturday as your favorite horse hits the tracks.

Belmont Breeze

Serves 1

1 1/2 ounces Jack Daniels

3/4 ounce Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice (see note)

1 ounce simple syrup, made with equal parts water and sugar (see note)

1 1/2 ounces fresh orange juice

1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice

7-Up

soda water

garnishes: fresh strawberry, mint sprig, lemon wedge

Shake first 6 ingredients with ice and top with half 7-Up and half soda water, approximately 1 ounce of each. Garnish with fresh strawberry, a mint sprig and lemon wedge.

Note: One ounce of sweet-and-sour mix could be substituted for the lemon juice and the simple syrup.