2009 Belmont Stakes Recap
by Patricia Woo | Jun 8 2009
The final leg of the Triple Crown series, the $1M Belmont Stakes, was run on Saturday, June 6, at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY. And at 1 1/2 miles, it certainly lived up to its nickname of the "Test of the Champion." Ten horses lined up for a shot at the winner's circle and the customary blanket of carnations, including Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness Stakes runner-up Mine That Bird.
From underdog in the first
Triple Crown race to race favorite in the Belmont Stakes, Mine That Bird (a son of 2004 Belmont Stakes-winning Birdstone) was expected to have a big race. Reunited with Calvin Borel, who was aboard for his Kentucky Derby-winning performance, Mine That Bird broke from post 7 and immediately settled towards the back of the pack. Dunkirk, who had skipped the Preakness Stakes after a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, went straight to the front of the pack with John Velazquez aboard, followed closely by second choice Charitable Man, ridden by Alan Garcia. At the far turn, Mine That Bird made his move - too early, trainer Chip Woolley said after the race - and though he was able to overtake the frontrunners in the final furlong, Dunkirk surged back in to the lead. But having saved ground down the backstretch, it was the other son of Birdstone, Summer Bird, who came barreling down the track to catch the leaders and hit the wire first in a winning time of 2:27.54. Summer Bird was sent off as a 11-1 shot and paid $25.80 to win; he earned $600,000 for owners Kalarikkal and Vilasini Jayaraman.
Kent Desormeaux, who had just the previous year saw his Triple Crown hopes slip away aboard Big Brown in the
Belmont Stakes, found sweet redemption with Summer Bird. "The colt broke like a rocket," Desormeaux said. "He dragged me around the racetrack. I had an armchair ride until I found some room, and when I found some room, he laid his body down."
Rounding out the order of finish: Dunkirk, Mine That Bird, Charitable Man, Luv Gov, Flying Private, Brave Victory, Mr. Hot Stuff, Chocolate Candy and Miner's Escape.
Summer Bird's trainer Tim Ice, who has been training horses on his own for a mere year, was thrilled with the win. After having a day to reflect on his trainee's performance, he said on Sunday: "...The best horse wins the race and yesterday my colt was the best horse. That's why everyone who is in this business is in it. They want the chance to win a race like this."
Summer Bird's future plans will culminate in an appearance at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meet in the fall, but which race remains up in the air. Mine That Bird's next target will be the Breeders' Cup Classic. In the meantime, however, both sons of Birdstone will be granted an extended and well-deserved rest.
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