Saturday, June 16, 2007

Rags to Riches, Belmont Stakes Winner

It's been a week now since
the filly Rags to Riches
outdistanced Preakness winner
Curlin in a heart-stopping
flank-to-flank
full-out gallop
down the home stretch of
the Belmont Park
race track.

She was the first filly
in 102 years to win this
third jewel in
thoroughbred racing's
Triple Crown, and--
to further show the brilliance
of her achievement--she
is one of only 22
fillies ever to have
been entered in
the 139-year history
of the prestigious
Belmont Stakes.

Tanya took the prize in 1905,
and Ruthless won in 1867.

John Velasquez rode
Rags to Riches--a
beautiful chestnut filly,
with a white blaze
on her face--to the
thrilling finish.

Curlin had been the
favorite at post time,
and, further to make
Rags to Riches seem
a long shot to win,
she stumbled as
she left the starting
gate.

But she soon caught
up and ran the race
about the middle of
the pack until
the home stretch,
when she put on
the burst of speed
that brought the
cheering crowd of
fans to their feet
until well after
she had crossed
the finish line.

Street Sense,
the Kentucky Derby
winner, did not
enter the Belmont Stakes,
after losing
the Preakness to Curlin.

His next upcoming
scheduled race
is the Saratoga.

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