Rags to Riches Makes Belmont History

Rags to Riches became the third filly in history and the first since Belmont Park opened in 1905 to win the longest and oldest leg of the Triple Crown when she got a head in front of favored Preakness winner Curlin on Saturday afternoon and won the 139th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes – the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion.”

She took the monkey off the back of her trainer, Todd Pletcher, and jockey, John Velazquez, who finally got their first Triple Crown race winner. She put herself in the leading role as Horse of the Year for her wealthy owners, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, adding to her future value as a broodmare.

And, she paid $10.60 for every $2 win ticket among the feminists in the crowd of 46,870.

“As a rule, we’re probably the one everyone is rooting against,” said Pletcher, who set single-season records for stakes wins (100) and graded stakes wins (57) in 2006 and earnings ($26,820,243) with his powerhouse stable. “We’re the underdog today; that was kind of sweet. The reception was kind of unbelievable.

“After we made the decision to run this filly, the reaction from the racing community was very enthusiastic. If nothing else, it was great for racing. Obviously, the end result, it was great for the filly.”