Moments after I'll Have Another won the Preakness on May 19, my uncle called and said "Whit, he's the real deal. IHA will win the Triple Crown". After his endorsement (Chip took over our family's Thoroughbred farm after my grandfather died and is an expert handicapper), I needed no convincing to purchase tickets to the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes.
I've been to all three Triple Crown races, but Dave has only been to the Preakness. He was very excited to make the trip to Elmont, NY for the race. Sadly, while in the car about to leave one of the rest stops on the Jersey Turnpike, we heard that Doug O'Neill scratched I'll Have Another from the race due to tendonitis in his left leg.
Dave after I read him the text Chip sent me about the scratch. This is his, "you're teasing me" face.
Nonetheless, we proceeded north for what I knew would be a fun day at the track.
We watched a couple of the early races trackside, before the crowds descended on the rail for the big races.
Our Eli came in second to last but I thought his jockey had the prettiest silks of the day.
We had paddock passes and visited some of the horses (before a few of the undercard races) and the bronze statue of Secretariat.
After roaming, we settled in to our clubhouse seats to enjoy the rest of the day. Of course, that meant having a few Belmont Breezes.
Post time for the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Union Rags (on the inside), about to overtake Atigun (4) and Paynter (9)
Post-race celebration for Union Rags and his friends
Bettors cashing their winning tickets. Sadly, I was not among them. I boxed Unstoppable U and Street Life, neither of whom finished in the money.
We had a fantastic time and are excited for the possibility of a Triple Crown winner in 2013. Maybe 13 will be lucky after all?
How fun! We went the Derby a few years ago, and I would love to go to another part of the Triple Crown at some point in the future. Hopefully next year will the year for a Triple Crown winner. I was actually traveling during the Belmont, and I just knew that I'll Have Another was going to win, since it would be the first time in my life that I would not be able to watch the race. I was sad to hear that he was scratched, but glad that his trainer and owners were being responsible.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day! I love the races, I would have loved paddock passes though, would have been great to visit the horses before hand!
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