2011 Belmont Stakes: Should Jay-Z or Frank Sinatra Be Singing the Race's Anthem?

2011 Belmont Stakes A Snub To Jay-Z?

In a decision that will certainly still up a rabid generational debate on both sides, the New York Racing Association made a 180-degree turn this week.

At last year's Belmont Stakes, the horses took the track with Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes' hit song and New York homage "Empire State of Mind" playing throughout the speakers at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, located on Long Island.

It marked the first time since 1997 that the horses didn't enter the stage to the sound of Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra's classic hit, "New York, New York."

That break with tradition was apparently so poorly received by the masses that the New York Racing Association is switching back to Sinatra's 1980 hit, according to the LA Times.

Now as someone who thinks the (original) Blueprint is one of the great albums ever made and remember Phil Hartman's Saturday Night Live Sinatra imitation better than the actual man, I'm biased.

Still, isn't Jay-Z a more appropriate figure than Sinatra to be "the face" of New York these days?

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Not only is he, well, alive, but he's actually from New York, Brooklyn to be exact, while Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey.

More to the point, Sinatra had his century; I think the 21st should be Hova's.

But what do you think? Weigh in Big Apple!

Whitney Port Minka Kelly Carol Grow Erika Christensen Emilie de Ravin