SB Nation Detroit - 2012 Belmont Stakes: Union Rags Gets Late Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-06-12T15:46:06-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27608572012-06-12T15:46:06-04:002012-06-12T15:46:06-04:002012 Belmont Stakes: Ratings, Bets Not Hurt By I'll Have Another's Absence
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<p>Despite the fact that the hopes of the first Triple Crown Championship since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978 went out the window with I'll Have Another's retirement the day before the 2012 Belmont Stakes, it didn't deter racing fans' interest in the event. </p>
<p>In a report filed by the Associated Press, there were a staggering amount of wagers placed on the race; in fact it was a near historic amount.</p>
<p>Via the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/APc4a5194016c9471cb5a537225300749f.html">Wall Street Journal</a>: </p>
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<p>A close finish led to the second-largest amount of money wagered, strong attendance and higher television ratings, proving people will still watch the sport on its big days. </p>
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<p>In addition, the television ratings pulled a 5.4 overnight righting and a 13 share, which was 13 percent higher than last year's Belmont and a staggering 74 percent better than the 2010 Belmont. </p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a></i><i>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 <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/12/3081217/belmont-stakes-2012-triple-crown-news-updates-info-results-ratings-wages-bets-linesMatt Brigidi2012-06-11T17:26:33-04:002012-06-11T17:26:33-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012: Paynter Trainer Asks, 'Is There A Triple Crown For Seconds?'
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<p>Coming into the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the attention of the racing world was focused upon I'll Have Another and the prospects of the first Triple Crown since 1978. When I'll Have Another was scratched from the Belmont the day before the race and retired from competition altogether, the proverbial air left the sails of the viewing public and went with it the possibility of a Triple Crown Champion. However, if you ask Paynter's trainer Bob Baffert, there was a Triple Crown following the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, albeit a dubious one.</p>
<p>In each of the three legs of the crown, a Baffert trained horse was led to the front of the pack by jockey Mike Smith and in each of those legs the horse was overtaken at the finish line. This prompted the frustrated trainer to <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/horse_racing/articles/2012/06/10/a_bob_baffert_horse_finished_runner_up_at_belmont_stakes_his_third_second_place_finish_in_triple_crown/">propose a new kind of Triple Crown</a>.</p>
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<p>"Is there a Triple Crown for seconds? I need a Triple Crown for seconds. I really thought [Paynter] was going to win today. He was doing so well. I knew we had the horse to do it and that horse [Union Rags] snuck up on him. He's still a young horse, still learning how to run. It's over. When you get beat, you get beat.''</p>
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<p>The manner in which Paynter got beat wasn't at all dissimilar to the way Bodemeister was caught down the stretch on two occasions by I'll Have Another. For Baffert and Smith to lose in the exact same manner in three straight races, with two different horses, is as remarkable as it is disappointing.</p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a></i><i>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<a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/11/3079012/2012-belmont-stakes-news-updates-triple-crown-infoMatt Brigidi2012-06-09T19:16:38-04:002012-06-09T19:16:38-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags Steals The Win
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<p>The 144th running of the Belmont Stakes is now in the books, with Paynter falling just short of a wire-to-wire victory after being nipped in the final seconds by Union Rags. Paynter had taken the lead early in the race as most expected and led the pack through to the final stretch, which wasn't as expected.</p>
<p>Most thought that Paynter would give way much sooner than that, but the horse didn't, keeping neck-and-neck with Unstoppable U through to the second half. Unstoppable U fell behind, though, and Atigun began pushing, but the show was quickly about Paynter and Union Rags. The second half of the final stretch was an all-out battle between Paynter and Union Rags, with the latter taking the win right at the very end.</p>
<p>Unstoppable U fell behind slightly and Atigun rounded out the top three. Race favorite, Dullahan, was seven lengths behind and second-to-last coming into the final stretch, which was severely disappointing. Dullahan was the favorite since I'll Have Another pulled out of the race and eventually retired, dashing the Triple Crown hopes.</p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a></i><i>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 <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075465/2012-belmont-stakes-results-union-rags-winner-paynterJames Brady2012-06-09T17:36:38-04:002012-06-09T17:36:38-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Results, Just A Game: Tapitsfly Wins In Impressive Fashion
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<p>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.</p>
<p>Trainer Dale Romans, according to <a href="http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-tapitsfly-gets-first-grade-1-just-game" target="_blank">DRF.com</a>, 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.</p>
<p>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</p>
<p>1. Tapitsfly<br>2. Winter Memories<br>3. Hungry Island<br>4. Up In Time<br>5. Sylvestris-Ire<br>6. Wallis<br>7. Dancinginherdrems</p>
<p><i>Stick with</i><a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a><i>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 <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075333/2012-belmont-stakes-just-a-game-results-tapitsflyJames Brady2012-06-09T17:08:16-04:002012-06-09T17:08:16-04:00The Belmont Stakes 2012 Results, True North Handicap: Caixa Eletronica Comes From Behind In Undercard
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<p>While much of the buzz surrounding the 2012 running of the Belmont Stakes has been tempered due to the fact that I'll Have Another has withdrawn due to injury, there's still plenty to be excited about on race day. The Triple Crown is historic, but it isn't everything, and it's been a great day of races thus far.</p>
<p>Among the races today was the 34th running of the True North Handicap, a Grade II race with a handicap for three-year-old horses and upward. It took place at 3:15 p.m. and the race was won by Caixa Eletronica. The horse was lagging behind from the get-to but started to push hard after the first turn.</p>
<p>Justin Phillip was the horse passed near the end - collared in the final 70 yards as Eletronica took the win. Justin Phillip trailed behind with Smiling Tiger bringing up third place. Smiling Tiger stumbled out of the gate which really hurt.</p>
<p><i>Stick with</i><a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a><i>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 <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075282/2012-belmont-stakes-results-true-north-handicap-caixa-eletronicaJames Brady2012-06-09T08:26:33-04:002012-06-09T08:26:33-04:00Belmont Stakes Odds 2012: Dullahan New Favorite Following I'll Have Another Scratch
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<p>With previous favorite I'll Have Another scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the morning line shows Dullahan as the favorite, with odds set at 9-5. The Dale Romans trained horse has three starts from 2012, with the best showing being the third place finish in the Kentucky Derby. That was with jockey Kent Desormeaux, though, who will not be riding Dullahan for the Belmont Stakes. Instead, the horse will be ridden by Javier Castellano, a jockey who had a couple of number one finishes on other horses earlier this week at Belmont.</p>
<p>Via <a href="http://www.belmontstakes.com/racing/contenders.aspx">Belmont Stakes</a>, the full morning line odds from Belmont are:</p>
<p>1. Street Life 8-1<br>2. Unstoppable U 20-1<span style="line-height: 16px;"><br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">3. Union Rags 3-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">4. Atigun 15-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">5. Dullahan 9-5<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">6. Ravelo's Boy 30-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">7. Five Sixteen 30-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">8. Guyana Star Dweej 30-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">9. Paynter 7-2<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">10. Optimizer 15-1<br></span><span style="line-height: 9px;">12. My Adonis 15-1 </span></p>
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<p><i>Stick with</i><a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"> this storystream </a><i>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 <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchtheycome.com">horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come</a>. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube: </i></p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3074565/2012-belmont-stakes-odds-dullahan-favorite-updated-oddsPete Eich2012-06-09T08:00:44-04:002012-06-09T08:00:44-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012: Post Positions, TV Schedule, Live Coverage And More
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<p>The 2012 Belmont Stakes take place on Saturday, June 9. The final leg of the sport's Triple Crown races, there will be no contender for the sport's most coveted prize this year. I'll Have Another, who was a heavy favorite to win at Belmont after winning at the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness, withdrew on Friday. That left Dullahan as the favorite in a tightly packed field that now stands at just 11 horses. </p>
<p>Post time for the race is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast on NBC, and coverage of the race starts at 4:35 p.m. Eastern. Fans can also watch the race live online at <a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/" target="_blank">NBCSports.com</a>. Updated odds are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.drf.com/">available here</a>. </p>
<p>Post positions for the race are as follows:</p>
<p>1-Street Life</p>
<p>2-Unstoppable U</p>
<p>3-Union Rags</p>
<p>4-Atigun</p>
<p>5-Dullahan</p>
<p>6-Ravelo's Boy</p>
<p>7-Five Sixteen</p>
<p>8-Guyana Star Dweej</p>
<p>9-Paynter</p>
<p>10-Optimizer</p>
<p><strike>11-I'll Have Another</strike></p>
<p>12-My Adonis</p>
<p><i>For more on the Belmont, check out this <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"><b>SB Nation Detroit story stream</b></a></i><i>, or this <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012/5/26/3045004/belmont-2012-news-odds-triple-crown-ill-have-another"><b>SB Nation stream</b></a>. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3074020/2012-belmont-stakes-post-positions-schedule-live-videoRyan Van Bibber2012-06-08T20:33:21-04:002012-06-08T20:33:21-04:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Dullahan Now Favored
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<p>There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. I'll Have Another, a significant favorite to win this year, pulled out of the race on Friday. The horse's exit from the race also changed the odds, making for a wide open field, a horse race in every sense of the word. Dullahan is now the favorite to win the race with 9-5 odds.</p>
<p>Right behind is Union Rags at 3-1. Paynter now has the third-best odds of any horse in the race at 7-2. <a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/8/3073940/current-belmont-stakes-odds-2012/in/2799236" target="_blank">The latest odds</a> following I'll Have Another's exit are as follows, arranged by post position:</p>
<p>1-Street Life, 8/1</p>
<p>2-Unstoppable U, 20/1</p>
<p>3-Union Rags, 3/1</p>
<p>4-Atigun, 15/1</p>
<p>5-Dullahan, 9/5</p>
<p>6-Ravelo's Boy, 30/1</p>
<p>7-Five Sixteen, 30/1</p>
<p>8-Guyana Star Dweej, 30/1</p>
<p>9-Paynter, 7/2</p>
<p>10-Optimizer, 15/1</p>
<p><strike>11-I'll Have Another, 4/5</strike></p>
<p>12-My Adonis, 15/1</p>
<p><i>For more on the Belmont, check out this <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/5/3/2996816/2012-kentucky-derby-post-positions-ill-have-another-hansen-have-tough"><b>SB Nation Detroit story stream</b></a></i><i>, or this <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012/5/26/3045004/belmont-2012-news-odds-triple-crown-ill-have-another"><b>SB Nation stream</b></a>. You can also watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/6/8/3073917/belmont-stakes-odds-2012Ryan Van Bibber