Saturday at Belmont Park was a big day for horse racing fans worldwide but it was a huge day for Calia Stables when his three-year-old colt Giants Victory, who had skipped the first two legs of the triple crown, got up to win the Belmont by an easy five lengths.
The mile and one half triple crown race is usually a bit of a shocker and Saturday was no exception. The favourite, Laffin Policeman was nowhere to be seen, finishing tenth by twenty one lengths. The Kentucky Derby winner was second by five lengths and the Preakness winner never ran a jump finishing eighth by sixteen lengths.
Perhaps it was the fact that skipped the first two legs to take almost a month break before heading into the Belmont. He has only had one win all season, The Whirlaway which is an ungraded stake back in February but he has been right there in almost every race this year. It could possibly be the fact that he had not been pushed as hard as some of the other three-year-olds on the road to the triple crown. Whatever the reason it certainly paid off for Calia Stable because not only did Giants Victory win the Belmont, he also set a new Belmont track record going the mile and one half in 2:29.71.
From the break Morning Waves, breaking from post position fifteen charged to the lead finally getting the rail just before heading into the first turn. There was a wall of horses just two and a half lengths behind but halfway around that turn Frankfurt who also broke from an outside post position flew to the front to challenge and taking the lead heading into the backstretch.
Down the backstretch Giants Victory who had been sitting in fifth position in the first turn came up to take the lead away from Frankfurt going into the final turn. Once the colt got the lead it was game over for the rest as he just continued to increase with each and every jump. Ghost Walker and Flextime were the only two within striking distance, just three and a half lengths behind the eventual winner halfway around the turn.
Heading into the stretch it was evident that no one was going to catch the Calia Stables star, with no one making any sort of run at the leader with maybe the exception of Rebellion who seemed to be making a move but it was too little, too late. Giants Victory ended up winning The Belmont by an easy five lengths and capturing the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.
2nd Ghost Walker was within striking distance for most of the race but when push came to shove this EasyMoney Stables colt just did not have enough left in the tank to get the job done. Fairly impressive Triple Crown run though getting a win, a third and then a second.
3rd Rebellion did make a bit of a move but it just was not enough to make a huge impact on the race. He finished third by six lengths.
4th Flextime was also up there early but tired turning for home and faded to fourth by six lengths.
All in all the Belmont once again proved to be an exciting race for all and with the win on Saturday it now brings Giants Victorys lifetime earnings to $1012.500.
Track: Fast
Time: :491 1:142 2:042 2:293
$2 Mutuel Prices:
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10 - Giants Victory
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17.50
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17.60
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12.90
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2 - Ghost Walker
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22.10
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19.50
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9 - Rebellion
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8.30
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$1 Exacta: 10 - 2 Paid 444.80
$1 Trifecta: 10 - 2 - 9 Paid 2,124.30