Belmont Stakes Recap and Analysis
by Bodog Racebook | Jun 13 2011
The 2011 Triple Crown wrapped up on Saturday, June 11 with another upset performance by a longshot. On a sloppy, sealed track at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, Ruler on Ice – who missed the Kentucky Derby because of insufficient graded stakes earnings – turned the perfect stalking trip into a Belmont Stakes victory.
As expected, frontrunner and Preakness Stakes champion Shackleford was away first and quickly, with Jesus Castanon aboard. Under Jose Valdivia Jr., Ruler on Ice settled into a stalking position behind the pacesetter. But for one Belmont Stakes contender – Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom – the race was over almost as quickly as it started: he clipped heels leaving the gate, nearly unseated jockey John Velazquez, and spent the rest of the 1 ½ mile race in a desperate bid to get back into contention. Despite the glaring mishap, favorite Animal Kingdom finished a respectable sixth.
Mid-stretch, Ruler on Ice took over the lead from a fading Shackleford. But he would have to fend off late challenges: Stay Thirsty, piloted by Javier Castellano, was powering up along the rail and Brilliant Speed, with a mid-track bid under Joel Rosario, was also coming on strong. But neither could overtake the gelded son of Roman Ruler, who was sporting blinkers for the first time; he made it home first in 2:30.88. Trained by Kelly Breen, Ruler on Ice earned $600,000 of the $1M purse. Stay Thirsty was runner-up by three-quarters of a length, followed by Brilliant Speed; Nehro, Shackleford, Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man, Santiva, Monzon, Master of Hounds, Prime Cut and Isn’t He Perfect rounded out the order of finish.
A 24-1 shot, Ruler on Ice came into the Belmont Stakes off a runner-up performance in the Federico Tesio at Pimlico Racecourse on May 7. The lightly raced gelding had only six career outings to his name – this was his first grade 1 race. With this victory, Ruler on Ice’s record improves to 7-3-2-1 and his earnings increase to $766,500.
This is the third year in a row that a different horse has claimed each leg of the Triple Crown. Last year, it was Super Saver, Lookin and Lucky and Drosselmeyer; in 2009, the respective winners were Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra and Summer Bird. 2011 also marks the 33rd year since the Triple Crown was last won – the last winner was Affirmed in 1978.
Triple Crown mania may be over for another year, but the second half of the racing season is just beginning! Bet on horse racing with the Bodog Racebook!
