Top Belmont Stakes rides: No. 7
7. Craig Perret, Bet Twice, 1987
Alysheba had defeated Bet Twice in the Derby and Preakness and was heavily favored to complete a Triple Crown sweep. Craig Perret reasoned that his best chance to turn the tables with Bet Twice was to make a daring bid for victory before stretch-running Alysheba could get into his best gear. After racing in midpack for about six furlongs, Perret gunned Bet Twice to a sizable advantage on the backstretch, opened an insurmountable lead on the turn, and coasted home as Alysheba struggled to finish fourth. Perret broke the race open with a gutsy, calculated maneuver.