Ruler On Ice, excluded from the Kentucky Derby, captured the 143rd Belmont Stakes with a late charge to overcome Shackleford, who led for most of the race. Ruler on Ice was a 24-1 underdog in this race, the fourth straight horse to win the Belmont after starting with odds at 11-1 or greater (via ESPN Stats). Jockey Jose Valdivia won his first Belmont Stakes.
Shackleford jumped out of the gate to the lead, while Animal Kingdom was awful starting things out, coming out dead last after clipping a horse in front of him. Ruler On Ice was in second before emerging down the stretch. Animal Kingdom did recover by moving to the middle of the track, but was unable to make that late push on the muddy track.
But Shackleford was overcome not only by Ruler On Ice, but also by Stay Thirsty and Brilliant Speed, who finished second and third, respectively. Stay Thirsty lost by 3/4 of a length and Brilliant Speed by 2 1/4. Nehro and Shackleford lost by over seven lengths and Animal Kingdom by 9 1/4. All the other horses were 24 lengths and longer.
The full results:
1. Ruler On Ice
2. Stay Thirsty
3. Brilliant Speed
4. Nehro
5. Shackleford
6. Animal Kingdom
7. Mucho Macho Man
8. Santiva
9. Monzon
10. Master Of Hounds
11. Prime Cut
12. Isn't He Perfect
If you want to learn more about the Belmont and the sport, our horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come can get you acquainted with the sport with the following: A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.