Despite the absence of I'll Have Another – the overwhelming favorite and Triple Crown hopeful – the 2012 Belmont Stakes certainly did not lack excitement or drama, as Paynter and Union Rags ran side-by-side down the final stretch, resulting in a photo finish.
Union Rags opened the day as a 3/1 favorite to win the Belmont and paid $7.50. Conversely, Paynter was a 7/2 favorite. A two dollar trifecta of 3-9 paid $31.40 and a one dollar trifecta of 3-9-4 paid $248.00.
The Belmont Stakes – the third leg of horse racing's elusive Triple Crown – is the longest of the three races, stretching a mile and a half. Union Rags needed every yard of the track to win in 2012.
For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog And Down The Stretch They Come along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.