NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Drosselmeyer unleashed a devastating late sprint to win yesterday’s 142nd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes, the third final and final leg of US racing’s famed Triple Crown.
Perfectly ridden by Mike Smith, Drosselmeyer surged clear of his rivals on the home straight to provide trainer Bill Mott with his first win in the mile and a half (2400m) classic.
Fly Down, one of two runners in the 12-horse field prepared by Nick Zito, finished strongly to take second while First Dude held on to take third after leading for most of the race.
The pre-race favourite Ice Box, runner-up in last month’s Kentucky Derby, failed to run on and could only manage ninth on a hot and steamy summer’s day at Belmont Park.
