SB Nation New York - Belmont Stakes 2012: Union Rags Bests Paynter In Photo Finishhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2012-06-10T21:11:55-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27961642012-06-10T21:11:55-04:002012-06-10T21:11:55-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012: Race Draws Big Ratings Even Without I'll Have Another
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<p>NBC no doubt took a major ratings blow when I'll Have Another was scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes, leaving the race without a potential Triple Crown winner. The race was still a big ratings draw, however, even without its biggest story line during the three-week lead up. <a href="http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/10/despite-ill-have-another-scratch-belmont-overnight-ratings-up-13-vs-last-year/137390/" target="_blank">The event drew a 5.4 rating</a> and a 13 share, which is a 13 percent increase over last year's Belmont Stakes, and 74 percent over the 2010 race on ABC.</p>
<p>The ratings were the best for a non-Triple Crown Belmont since 2005. Predictably, ratings would have fared much better if I'll Have Another had been healthy. Big Brown's attempt to win the Triple Crown in 2008 drew a 9.5 rating a 21 share for ABC.</p>
<p>This year's Belmont did especially well in the New York market, drawing a 9.6 rating and 22 share--a 30 percent increase over the previous year.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/10/3077208/2012-belmont-stakes-ratings-nbcLouis Bien2012-06-10T09:10:08-04:002012-06-10T09:10:08-04:002012 Belmont Stakes News And Notes: The Day After
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<p>Here are some notes from Saturday's 144th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Without Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another, retired due to injury, Union Rags was victorious, ediging Paynter with a tremendous stretch run.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/55490472?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cp&usatref=sportsmod">Shadow of I'll Have Another hangs over Belmont Stakes | Detroit Free Press | freep.com</a><br>I'll Have Another was in his stall at his barn when 11 horses were led into the starting gate under darkening skies. The finish was déjà vu all over again for Paynter's trainer, Bob Baffert. <br><br> Before I'll Have Another's retirement ceremony, fans cheered as he walked laps around the paddock. Some waved "I'll Have Another" signs. The background music: Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. <br><br> He was taken to the winner's circle. Jockey Mario Gutierrez, wearing not his silks but a white shirt and tie, mounted I'll Have Another. Gutierrez stroked the back of the horse's neck. After Gutierrez dismounted the horse, trainer Doug O'Neill removed the saddle. He patted the horse three times on the backside. <br><br> "He's had an incredible run. In any sport you have to stay injury free. Unfortunately he came up with a slight injury. Could we have run him? Yes. But would that have been the right move? No," said O'Neill. <br><br> "I was proud of the whole team. It was unanimous in not running him. It's been such an unbelievable run. He's a once in a lifetime horse. We're just focused on all the great part of this journey he took us through."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.silive.com/sports/advance/gordon/index.ssf/2012/06/macs_layup_drill_a_fine_belmon.html">Mac's Layup Drill: A fine Belmont, but the thrill was gone | SILive.com</a><br>Call it the Belmont Stakes that wasn’t. <br><br> Officially, the record books will show that Union Rags and courageous jockey Johnny Velazquez rode the stretch-run rail yesterday, slipping past a game Paynter late. <br><br> And the race was honest, and exciting, and solid from start to finish.</p>
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<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/8031534/claire-novak-been">Claire Novak - What could have been - ESPN</a><br>The Belmont Stakes was a thriller, all right -- just not as thrilling as it could have been.</p>
But this wasn’t anything like what New York racing fans had hoped for.
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/10/3076216/2012-belmont-stakes-news-notes-ill-have-another-triple-crown-union-rags-paynterEd Valentine2012-06-10T08:57:56-04:002012-06-10T08:57:56-04:002012 Belmont Stakes Reaction: Union Rags Team Wonders What Might Have Been
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<p>After Union Rags earned the victory Saturday in the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, his handlers are <a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=80412" target="new">left to wonder what might have been</a>.</p>
<p>Union Rags was ridden by Julien Leparoux in the Kentucky Derby, finishing a disappointing seventh. In the Belmont, John Velazquez — the rider trainer Michael Matz seemed to want all along — was aboard.</p>
<p>“He rode a brilliant race today,” said Matz. “He’s a strong rider. He knows Belmont and that was some of the things that figured into picking John.”</p>
<p>Matz admitted to initially wanting Velazquez aboard Union Rags in the Kentucky Derby. Velazquez, however, was committed to riding Animal Kingdom in a race in Dubai and could not commit to all three Triple Crown races.</p>
<p>“I guess I’m the lucky one. I guess that’s the only way to describe it. I guess what is meant to be for you is meant to be for you,” said Velazquez. “We’ve been being looking for a long time if the opportunity would come up for me to ride the horse, I guess it worked out good for me today.”</p>
<p>Matz was, of course, asked about the absence of injured Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner I’ll Have Another from the race.</p>
<p>“We always thought this horse had Triple Crown potential when we trained him,” Matz said. “I do really think that this horse, when he has a clean trip and can show himself, he is one of the best three-year-olds of this crop. And whether he could have done something against I’ll Have Another, I don’t know, but it sure would have been fun to see.”</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/10/3076201/2012-belmont-stakes-reaction-union-rags-triple-crown-michael-matz-john-veleazquezEd Valentine2012-06-09T19:12:40-04:002012-06-09T19:12:40-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags Wins, Followed By Paynter And Atigun
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<p>Union Rags overtook Paynter in the streatch to win the 2012 Belmont Stakes in a photo finish Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Despite the late scratch of Triple Crown hopeful and overwhelming favorite, I'll Have Another, the Belmont did not lack excitement.</p>
<p>Paynter led the longest of the Triple Crown races – a mile and half – from nearly start to finish, but Union Rags was able to make a push in the final hundred yards, eventually surpassing Paynter just before the finish line.</p>
<p>Union Rags opened the day with 3-1 odds to win the Belmont, while Paynter came in at 7-2. Atigun – a 15-1 longshot – finished third.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
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<p>Belmont Stakes Results: Union Rags Runs Down Paynter to Capture Last Leg of 2012 Triple Crown (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=FwEuuSPffq8">sbnation</a>)</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075475/2012-belmont-stakes-results-union-rags-paynter-atigunJordan Sams2012-06-09T19:06:31-04:002012-06-09T19:06:31-04:002012 Belmont Stakes Video: Union Rags Passes Paynter In Photo Finish
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<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075459/belmont-stakes-video-2012-union-rags-paynterJordan Sams2012-06-09T19:00:35-04:002012-06-09T19:00:35-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Payout: Union Rags Wins 144th Belmont
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<p>The 2012 Belmont Stakes was dealt a huge blow when I'll Have Another was scratched the day before the race due to injury. The horse was the overwhelming favorite, and had the opportunity to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed did so in 1978. But, despite the absence of I'll Have Another, the Belmont provided an exciting finish, as Union Rags surpassed Paynter for the lead in the final stretch, resulting in a photo finish. </p>
<p>Union Rags opened the day as a 3/1 favorite to win the race, while Paynter was a 7/2 favorite. Paynter led for most of the way, but failed to hold off Union Rags in the final 100 yards.</p>
<p>A bet on Union Rags paid $7.50. A two dollar trifecta of 3-9 paid $31.40 and a one dollar trifecta of 3-9-4 paid $248.00.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075449/2012-belmont-stakes-payout-union-rags-paynterJordan Sams2012-06-09T18:50:27-04:002012-06-09T18:50:27-04:002012 Belmont Stakes Winner: Union Rags Passes Paynter In Final Stretch
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<p>The 2012 Belmont Stakes took a huge hit when overwhelming favorite and Triple Crown hopeful, I'll Have Another, was scratched due to injury and was retired prior to the race, but the third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown certainly did not lack excitements.</p>
<p>The longest race of the Triple Crown races was led by Paynter for the majority of the run, but Union Rags made its push in the final stretch and eventually overtook Paynter for the lead with a couple hundred yards remaining, to win the Belmont Stakes. </p>
<p>Union Rags opened the day with 3/1 odds of winning the race. Paynter – the horse finishing second – opened the day as a 7/2 favorite. </p>
<p>Below is a picture of the photo finish:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1089405/nose2_1.jpg"><img alt="Nose2_1_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1089405/nose2_1_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1174091/nose2_1.jpg">assets.sbnation.com</a></p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075437/belmont-stakes-2012-winner-union-rags-paynterJordan Sams2012-06-09T18:17:45-04:002012-06-09T18:17:45-04:00Belmont Results 2012, Woody Stephens: Trinniberg Wins
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<p>The 2012 Belmont Stakes isn't set to begin until 6:40 PM EST, and it will be televised on NBC. However; there are plenty of intriguing undercard races scheduled and televised on NBC Sports beforehand.</p>
<p>Both horse racing enthusiasts and gamblers everywhere will be plenty interested in the undercards, which are as follows: The True North Handicap, Just A Game, Woody Stephens and the Manhattan Handicap.</p>
<p>The True North Handicap was taken by Caixa Electronica. Tapitsfly took the Just A Game race. And the Woody Stephens race was won by Trinniberg.</p>
<p>Trinniberg was trained by Parboo Bisnath and owned by Shivananda Racing. A bet on the horse to win won $7.70. A two dollar exacta paid $62.50 and a two dollar trifecta paid $623.00.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come </a>along with <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075375/2012-belmont-results-woody-stephens-trinnibergJordan Sams