A chill rain and unseasonably raw wind was blowing at Belmont Park Friday morning.

After a short break and a breakfast consisting of a single muffin and a small cup of coffee, Bob Duncan, Belmont's official race starter and early morning chief of the "gate school," offered contrasting views of the scene unfolding around him.

"Chilly, isnít it?" he asked, lifting his shoulders slightly and offering a mock shudder.

Then the thoroughbreds began running by again on the main track, and Duncan's face broke into a wide smile.

"You know," he said, "There's just no better job than this in the world."

Indeed, Belmont Park on this Friday, six days shy of its opening for the annual spring and summer meet here, was just about as pleasant as pleasant can be despite the rain.

From the alcove where Duncan and his crew teach young thoroughbreds how to "break" from the starting gate, the grandstand of the world-famous track seemed a world away, but all around where a reporter stood, speedy horses were being put through their paces in anticipation of the big day, May 13, when local fans will once again be pushing through the turnstile, making their way toward the main track or the paddock, and, no doubt, stopping by the mutuel window to become reacquainted with "Lady Luck."

As it is every year, the highlight of the meet will be The Belmont Stakes, the third and final jewel of the vaunted Triple Crown for the world's best three-year-olds.

Only 11 horses have swept the Triple Crown series and 13 others have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, only to be denied immortality on -- and some would say , by -- Belmont's demanding mile-and-a-half track.

This year, as the Belmont spring season gets underway, the fabled history of the Triple Crown is very much in evidence, as the track will commemorate the golden anniversary of Citation's Triple Crown, the 25th anniversary of Secretariat, and the 20th anniversary of Affirmed.

From May 20 through June 6, racing's "super horse," Secretariat, will live again at a special Secretariat kiosk, where memorabilia from the red colt's unforgettable two-year run -- at one point he was featured simultaneously on the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated -- will be displayed. Also, thanks to archival film footage, race fans visiting the kiosk will be able to relive Secretariat's stunning 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.

Along the same lines, those making their way to Belmont Park on May 25, will receive a free commemorative T-shirt with their paid admission. The shirt, designed by Celeste Susany, features all three of the anniversary winners of the Triple Crown.

On May 31, race fans will also get the chance to meet Penny Chenery, Secretariat's owner, and take home a commemorative poster.

But celebrating the Triple Crown is only part of what will transpire at Belmont Park this spring.

As always, the track will feature its popular Breakfast at Belmont program. In addition to a trackside breakfast, race fans will also get to take a complimentary tram tour of the stable area, witness a starting gate demonstration, and hear expert commentary during their visit from Sheila Lindquist in the paddock area, and Mary Ryan at the track.

Other events at the track this spring include the Belmont Stake College Weekend and Microbrew Festival, which will be held May 23 and 24; A "Meet the Pros" session on June 5, where leading jockeys and trainers will discuss the outcome of this year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and discuss this year's Belmont field; and a dressage demonstration by Special Olympians during the Special Olympics Silks and Stars Luncheon.

Throughout the spring and early summer, Belmont Park will also feature what's being billed as "Family Fun Day Special Events."

Built around specific storybook themes -- ranging from Peter Pan to the three bears -- every Sunday through July 26, between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., will be a time of joy and wonder for the little ones.

General admission is $2 and clubhouse admission, $4. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Admission gates open at 11 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 25; Belmont Stakes Day, June 6; Father's Day, June 21 and Saturday, July 4.

Racing is conducted Wednesdays through Sundays with one exception. There is racing on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, and no racing on Wednesday, May 27.

The start of the first race is 1 p.m. every racing day; 12:30 p.m. on Belmont Stakes Day, June 6.

Belmont Park is accessible off exit 26-D of the Cross Island Parkway, and there are entrances to the track along Hempstead Turnpike.