Belmont Stakes - Historical Wins
by Patricia Woo | Jun 1 2009
Known as the "Test of the Champion," the
Belmont Stakes - a 12-furlong (1 1/2-mile) test for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in June - has a history of incredible races. And as the horse racing world looks forward to the 141st running of the third and final leg of the Triple Crown series on Saturday, June 6 in Elmont, NY, Bodog Racebook takes a look back at some of the most memorable races in Belmont Stakes history.
In 2007, a 3-year-old filly named Rags to Riches made a name for herself in the record books by becoming the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century. In a race that included Preakness Stakes winner and Horse of the Year Curlin, Rags to Riches was sent off as the race favorite; however, she stumbled badly right out of the gate. But she and jockey John Velazquez took advantage of the slow pace and were soon able to put themselves into striking position. At the top of the stretch, Rags to Riches and Curlin shook free of the field and launched into a furious homestretch duel that came down to the wire - with Rags to Riches taking the victory by a mere head. This year, the lone filly to run in any
Triple Crown race, Rachel Alexandra, will not contest the Belmont Stakes - despite romping in the Kentucky Oaks and clinching the Preakness Stakes title.
2004 Belmont Stakes champion Birdstone sired two of this year's Belmont Stakes contenders, Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. While those two are considered frontrunners, Birdstone was a 36-1 longshot. He showed promise as a 2-year-old, winning the Champagne Stakes, but fizzled in the 2004 Kentucky Derby, finishing eighth; post-time favorite Smarty Jones finished first. Birdstone's connections - Marylou Whitney and trainer Nick Zito - decided to bypass the Preakness Stakes (a race that Smarty Jones also won) and regroup for the Belmont. And though it was Smarty Jones in the lead in the homestretch, it was Birdstone (with Edgar Prado aboard) who managed a late bid and denied Smarty Jones the Triple Crown. This year, Edgar Prado will be aboard Mr. Hot Stuff, while Nick Zito has three potential Belmont Stakes starters: Miner's Escape, Brave Victory and Nowhere to Hide.
And finally, one cannot mention the Belmont Stakes without also mentioning the great racehorse Secretariat. In 1973, Secretariat completed his Triple Crown sweep with a stunning performance in the Belmont Stakes, one that has yet to be equaled. Not only did he win the race, but he did so by a measure of 31 lengths - the greatest margin in the history of American Grade 1 races - in a track record of 2:24 that still stands to this day. This year, even without a Triple Crown hopeful in the field, the 2009 Belmont Stakes promises 1 1/2 miles of thrilling horse racing action.
Post time for the Belmont Stakes is 6:30PM ET on Saturday, June 6.
Get in the winner's circle! Bet on the
Belmont Stakes with Bodog Racebook!
