The 2012 running of the Belmont Stakes is just around the corner, and with it comes a slew of exciting undercard races. Following the True North Handicap, the Just A Game Handicap got underway and featured an exciting race, to be sure. The race was won by Tapitsfly after a last-minute adjustment prior to the start of the race saw a gameplan change.
Trainer Dale Romans, according to DRF.com, told jockey Ramon Dominquez to put Tapitsfly in the lead at the very beginning. The horse didn't relinquish her lead, and ended up winning by 2 1/4 lengths, besting even-money favorite Winter Memories. It was Tapitsfly's first ever Grade I win, and it almost didn't happen, given that the horse was set to run last weekend's Mint Julep at Churchill Downs.
The purse for this race was $500,000, bringing Tapitsfly's lifetime earnings to $1,253,836. Winter Memories finished second, with Hungry Island rounding out the top three. The full results are below
1. Tapitsfly
2. Winter Memories
3. Hungry Island
4. Up In Time
5. Sylvestris-Ire
6. Wallis
7. Dancinginherdrems
Stick with this storystream from SB Nation Detroit for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, head over to SB Nation's horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come.