As a crowd reported at 102,199 left the racetrack in Elmont, Long Island en masse after Tonalist ended California Chrome's Triple Crown hopes at the Belmont Stakes, some attendees took to social media to describe what they called a massive traffic jam both in the parking lot and on the rails.
Three hours after tearing up their losing tickets, frustrated railbirds were still in a state of denial as they tried to exit the overcrowded parking lot.
Some said they suffered through delays for hours, using terms like "nightmare" and "gridlock" to describe the exodus.
After not learning a thing from the MetLife Super Bowl transportation fiasco, it seems Belmont and local authorities left fans on their own and banging their iPhones during a nightmare traffic jam and while standing on long lines for nonexistent public transportation.
So yea Belmont was such a good time so was off-roading the q5 to skip some traffic.... But sitting in this for 2 ... pic.twitter.com/gRwb7bka15
— Samuel Talavera (@SamuelTlvr) June 8, 2014
Belmont blue parking lot is a disaster. Hundreds of idling cars. No rhyme or reason to where people are going. People can't find their cars.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) June 8, 2014
People straight up leaving their cars since there hasn't been movement in about half hour. I'd sleep here were I not afraid for my life.
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) June 8, 2014
Hour 3 of @TheNYRA Belmont abandonment in parking lot. Still no way out. We are about to elect our own government.
— Rob Westervelt (@slakboy) June 8, 2014
Line to get to LIRR leaving Belmont Park. A cop just said the trains were closed. The best way out is on horseback.. pic.twitter.com/Vx65r5IfDG
— Antoine Gara (@AntoineGara) June 8, 2014
