Belmont Stakes Review
There was a lot of excitement leading up to this weekend’s Belmont Stakes race, but few could have predicted the final outcome of the event. With jockey Calvin Borel facing the chance to become the first triple crown winner since 1978, everyone was expecting his horse Mine That Bird to cross the finish line in first place.
But it seemed disappointment loomed on the horizon for Mine That Bird fans. The little horse ran its heart out, but things just didn’t go as they should have. Critics are blaming Borel for the loss, saying that he let Mine That Bird out a little early. Borel doesn’t deny that he could have held him back a little longer but it seems that at the moment it felt like the right choice. Mine That Bird was obviously enthusiastic and few horses are truly prepared for the longer than usual 1 ½ mile race. Mine That Bird ultimately came in at third place and ran a good race despite the fact that he did not meet expectations.
Instead, it was Kent Desormeaux on Summer Bird who came in first to claim the $1 million prize at this prestigious event. The win was a shock to fans as the horse was an 11/1 shot and he settled in at the back of the field before moving through to take a narrow lead near the end of the race. Rookie trainer Tim Ice has only been in the game for a year. Needless to say he was elated at the victory and he also expressed his good fortune at having Desormeaux riding the race for him. Ice said: “He gave him a great ride and rode the perfect race. To win a Triple Crown race in my first year is just unbelievable. I can’t explain it”.
It seems Jockey Desormeaux felt credit for the win should go to the horse. Desormeaux commented that colt Summer Bird “broke like a rocket and dragged me around the racetrack”. It certainly seems that this former long shot has come into his own during this exceptionally long Triple Crown race. Horse racing fans will certainly be keeping an eye on this shock winner at future races.
