Ruler On Ice tops Derby winner and Preakness winner to take Belmont Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. — Ruler on Ice didn’t make the field in the Kentucky Derby and chose not to run in the Preakness Stakes.

But he showed Saturday that he belonged after he won the 143rd Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. On a sloppy track with 24-1 odds, Ruler on Ice held off a field in the third leg of the Triple Crown that included Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. Ruler on Ice paid $51.50. Stay Thirsty finished second and paid $19.40. Brilliant Speed was third and paid $7.90. Animal Kingdom was sixth.

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Ruler On Ice posted a huge upset in the Belmont Stakes Saturday, taking the lead from Preakness winner Shackleford down the stretch and winning the final leg of the Triple Crown. (June 11)

Animal Kingdom was made a 2-1 morning-line favorite on Wednesday, but went off at 5-2. He almost tossed jockey John Velazquez when he clicked heels with Monzon. Animal Kingdom was trying to become just the 12th horse to win the Derby and the Belmont.

Velazquez, who rode Animal Kingdom in the Derby and Preakness, was able to save the ride and made a late charge after being deep in the field. He won the 2007 Belmont aboard Rags to Riches and he is an experienced jockey at Belmont Park, but came up short today despite a brilliant ride.

While many were anticipating a rematch between Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford, the runner-up at the Derby, Nehro, was made a surprising No. 2 choice behind Animal Kingdom at 4-1. He went off at 9-2.

It’s the first time since 2005 that the Derby winner and Preakness winner faced each other in the Belmont.

Following the draw, Animal Kingdom trainer Graham Motion said he expected a duel between his horse and Shackleford, with Nehro in the mix.

“I find it odd that we look to knock these horses when they just put on a great show on Preakness day,” Motion told reporters at Belmont Park after the draw.

“I think they look like two really nice horses and hopefully they can come back and validate that in the Belmont. . . . I don’t think this year is any different. I think what my horse has achieved in being such a lightly raced horse and having only two races on the dirt, I think it’s pretty extraordinary and unparalleled, to be honest.”

But Shackleford drew the No. 12 post position, a tough spot for a speed horse in the longest race of the year.

With no Triple Crown at stake, it was a pretty tame week at Belmont Park. Although there was some trash talking between Animal Kingdom owner Barry Irwin and Shackleford trainer Dale Romans, one of the bigger stories was the decision to bring back Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” as the official race song.

It was the official song from 1997-2009 before being replaced by Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” last year. Sinatra’s hit took over for “Sidewalks of New York” in 1997.

In the end it was Ruler on Ice who was in a “New York State of Mind.”

— Baltimore Sun