Summer Bird streaks to Belmont Stakes success

Summer Bird, running at 11-1 odds with Kent Desormeaux aboard, won the mile and a half race going away.

Dunkirk, the co-second choice at 9-2, finished second ahead of 6-5 favourite Mine That Bird, who made his anticipated charge at the top of the stretch earlier than expected and faded at the end.

“I felt I was on the best horse coming in,” said Mine That Bird jockey Calvin Borel, who was trying to register a unique jockey Triple Crown sweep after steering filly Rachel Alexandra to victory in the Preakness.
“We just got outrun,” Borel said.

Charitable Man, also rated 9-2, finished fourth.

Summer Bird, like Mine That Bird sired by 2004 Belmont winner Birdstone, paid $25.80, $9.30 and $4.70 for a $2 bet.