Rags To Riches became the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes, when she beat Preakness champion and even-money favorite Curlin by a head today at Belmont Park. The win was worth $600,000 to British owners Michael Tabor and Derek Smith.
Although she entered the race unbeaten in four starts this year, it was Rags To Riches’ first time to compete against males. She was just the third filly to win the event since Ruthless captured the inaugural running in 1867 and Tanya took the 1905 edition.
It was also the first Triple Crown win for Todd Pletcher, who claimed a 2006 Eclipse Award as the nation’s top trainer, but remained winless in 28 previous Triple Crown attempts.
Ironically, Pletcher ran second and third in the 2006 Belmont Stakes with Bluegrass Cat and Sunriver, respectively, who were beaten by Rags To Riches’ half-brother, Jazil.
“It’s a special feeling whenever you win one like this,” said Pletcher, who made his decision to enter Rags To Riches after Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense bowed out of the race. “But it’s a real credit to the filly.”
Rags to Riches’ pedigree is steeped in Belmont Stakes success. Her sire, A.P. Indy, won the race in 1992; her dam, Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister, foaled last year’s Belmont Stakes champion, Jazil; and both of her grandsires, Seattle Slew and Secretariat, were Belmont winners.
Jockey John Velazquez, who had originally committed to ride Belmont contender Slew’s Tizzy, was aboard Rags to Riches for the win. Before he was sidelined by an injury, Velazquez had been Asmussen’s first-call rider, but Garrett Gomez was in the irons when Rags To Riches won her last race before the Belmont – the Kentucky Oaks on May 4 at Churchill Downs.
“The victory goes with Garrett Gomez, too,” said Velazquez, who claimed his first Triple Crown win with Rags To Riches. Garrett Gomez finished fourth in the seven-horse Belmont field atop Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, who also ran third in the Preakness.
“The filly ran a great race on the right day,” said a disappointed Steve Asmussen, trainer of Curlin, who had defeated Street Sense in a thrilling duel in the Preakness. “But our horse ran a good race.”
At a distance of 1 1/2 miles, the $1 million Belmont Stakes is the oldest and final race of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown. The most recent fillies to run in the Belmont were My Flag, who finished third in 1996, and Silverbulletday, who finished seventh in 1999.
Historically, Triple Crown races have been dominated by male runners. Just three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby – Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988. The Preakness Stakes has had two champions that were fillies – Rhine Maiden in 1915 and Nellie Morse in 1925. Genuine Risk is the most celebrated female in Triple Crown history with her Kentucky Derby victory and runner-up finishes in both the Preakness and the Belmont.