The 2012 Belmont Stakes race fans were not disappointed Saturday, even after losing the possibility of having the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
This final race of the Triple Crown trilogy is the longest leg of three at a mile and a half and is known for surprises, and this time was no different. With the sudden scratch and, retirement of the Triple Crown candidate I'll Have Another due to a tendon injury, perhaps racing fans expected less excitement and surprises. But excitement and drama prevailed!
Union Rags, trained by Michael Matz, provided a cliffhanger-level excitement of a winning finish.
Paynter, trained by award winning trainer Bob Baffert, set an early pace and hung onto the lead for most of the mile and a half, only to be caught from behind drive by Union Rags. Union Rags who had missed the Preakness had a change of jockey from Julien Leparoux to John Velazquez for the Belmont.
As they came around the far turn Union Rags started his drive, yet gallantly Paynter and jockey Mike Smith still hung on. But Velazquez was able to guide Union Rags through a gap on the rail, taking the lead across the finish line to win by a neck. It was a thrilling finish for race fans, and a fitting end to a great Triple Crown year, in spite of not having a new winner for the Triple Crown legacy.
“I have to give it to the horse. He did it all for me. He just worked so unbelievable and I was just hoping he could put that work into today’s race and he did,” Velazquez said. “I was very proud of him”, according to the Associated Press.
