BELMONT, New York, (Reuters) – Summer Bird streaked down the stretch to overtake Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and win the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes yesterday.
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.
