Mike Smith took the blame for Paynter’s neck loss to Union Rags in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, a result that capped a torturous Triple Crown series for him, owner Ahmed Zayat, and trainer Bob Baffert.
Belmont Stakes 2012: Complete order of finish
Union Rags's Belmont victory justified trainer Michael Matz’s confidence in the big, strapping colt. Under a clever ride from John Velazquez, Union Rags slipped through along the rail in the final furlong and caught pacesetting Paynter to win by a neck in a Belmont that proved thrilling despite being an anticlimactic final act to this year’s Triple Crown.
On the day after, the connections of I’ll Have Another expressed gratitude for what they did achieve, not remorse for what they didn’t.
Belmont Park stakes results and video replays from Saturday's Belmont Stakes Day card.
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another will have a ceremonial retirement in the Belmont Park winner’s circle prior to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. The New York Racing Association had originally announced plans to have I’ll Have Another lead the post parade for the Belmont.
With $115,869 in the win pool - counting only money bet at Belmont, Aqueduct or through NYRA Rewards - Dullahan was a slight 9-5 favorite over Union Rags (2-1) in early betting for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Dullahan, the third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, is a slight favorite over Union Rags, the seventh-place finisher in the Derby, in the Brooklyn-Belmont Stakes daily double wager.
Doug O'Neill withstood criticism during this year's Triple Crown with more grace than most human beings could muster. And when he was deprived of his shot at the greatest prize in American racing, he took the setback calmly.
