<p>"First run in 1867 and still taking place every summer, the Belmont Stakes, a horse race for thoroughbred three-year-olds, WAS one of the oldest races in the United States."</p>
<p>Why should "was" be changed to "is", not "has been"? I thought since it continued to the present from the past, it should take on the perfect form.</p>
<p>Well if it still exists presently, it should be "is."</p>
<p>It's kind of like "ice cream, invented in 1000 A.D. and popular to this day, IS a great tasting dairy product."</p>
<p>beacuse dude teh race still exists today, so if u say was it woudl be liek it doesnt exist today.</p>
<p>Then how would I rephrase it so that it uses "has been"?</p>
<p>To use 'has been' I'm pretty sure you could say:</p>
<p>Belmont Stakes, one of the oldest horse races, has been running every summer since 1867.</p>
<p>A horse race isn't a horse, it's a race.</p>
<p>just think about it for a bit, then it'll come to you,</p>
<p>props on the title =p</p>
<p>i'm always up for a good pun lol</p>