SB Nation Minnesota - 2012 Belmont Stakes: Union Rags Takes Home The Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2012-06-12T13:05:44-05:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27992362012-06-12T13:05:44-05:002012-06-12T13:05:44-05:00Belmont Stakes 2012: Ratings, Bets On Rise At This Year's Race
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<p>Despite the early retirement of I'll Have Another, it seems as though the 2012 Belmont Stakes was still a great success. Only one win shy at the Belmont of the first horse racing Triple Crown since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978, many felt as though the absence of I'll Have Another was going to hurt the races's numbers. However, that was not the case.</p>
<p>According to a report filed by the Associated Press, there were a staggering number of wagers placed for this year's Belmont, a number that was near historic.</p>
<p>Via <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/APc4a5194016c9471cb5a537225300749f.html">The 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://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown">this storystream</a> for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, check out <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchteycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/12/3080945/2012-belmont-stakes-news-info-updates-results-money-wagers-ratingsMatt Brigidi2012-06-11T16:57:41-05:002012-06-11T16:57:41-05:002012 Belmont Stakes: Bob Baffert Wins Triple Crown At Belmont ... Kind Of
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<p>In the weeks leading up to the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the horse racing world was hoping to anoint I'll Have Another as the first Triple Crown Champion since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978. Unfortunately, those hopes vanished when the horse was retired from competition on the morning before the Belmont, effectively ending any hope of naming a new Triple Crown champion.</p>
<p>However, if you ask Bob Baffert there was a Triple Crown won at the Belmont, albeit a rather dubious one. 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. In each of those legs the horse was overtaken at the line, finishing in second.</p>
<p>Baffert's comments via <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/">Boston.com</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><i>Stick with <a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown">this storystream</a> for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, check out <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchteycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/11/3079089/belmont-stakes-2012-triple-crown-news-info-updatesMatt Brigidi2012-06-09T18:00:42-05:002012-06-09T18:00:42-05:00Belmont Results 2012: Union Rags Nips Paynter For The Win
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<p>The 144th running of the Belmont Stakes is in the books, and Union Rags is your winner. The horse who fell short of expectations in the Kentucky Derby and then skipped the Preakness Stakes finishes off on a high note with a thrilling come-from-behind victory.</p>
<p>Paynter was the horse who was on the other side of that come-from-behind victory. Paynter jumped ahead to start the race as most predicted, but unlike most predictions, held the lead through to the final stretch. In fact, Paynter was a good deal ahead at the halfway mark, and actually was leading about halfway through the final stretch. But Unstoppable U slowly fell behind as Union Rags came up from behind fast and hard.</p>
<p>The final half of the final stretch was incredibly intense, with both jockeys really pushing their horses. Union Rags took the lead right at the very end to steal the win away, while Atigun rounded out the top three. Race favorite, Dullahan, was second-to-last at seven lengths back rounding the final turn and has seriously fallen short of expectations.</p>
<p>Dullahan had become the favorite after I'll Have Another withdrew and was forced to retire due to a tendon injury. I'll Have Another had a lot of people hoping for a Triple Crown victory, and a lot of the pre-race buzz was tempered due to the injury.</p>
<p><i>Stick with <a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown">this storystream</a> for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, check out <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchteycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3075453/belmont-stakes-results-2012-winner-union-rags-paynterJames Brady2012-06-09T07:56:36-05:002012-06-09T07:56:36-05:002012 Belmont Stakes: Updated Odds, How To Watch Online And More
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">Saturday evening brings the running of the 2012 Belmont Stakes, and you'll be able to watch online with streaming coverage via NBC Sports. The 144th running of the race saw a late shakeup to the contenders as Triple Crown contender I'll Have Another was scratched due to injury. Dullahan quickly became the new favorite, but Union Rags and Paynter are close behind. Dullahan finished third in the Kentucky Derby but will have a different jockey for the Belmont, with Kent Desormeaux being replaced by Javier Castellano. Coverage starts at 4:30pm EDT, with post time expected around 6:30pm. Full odds and information on how to watch online are below.</span></p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><b>Post Position - Odds:</b></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">1. Street Life 8-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">2. Unstoppable U 20-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">3. Union Rags 3-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">4. Atigun 15-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">5. Dullahan 9-5</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">6. Ravelo's Boy 30-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">7. Five Sixteen 30-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">8. Guyana Star Dweej 30-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">9. Paynter 7-2</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">10. Optimizer 15-1</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">12. My Adonis 15-1 </span></p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><b>Streaming Information:</b> Online coverage via<a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/3032808/ns/sports-horse_racing/?ns=sports-horse_racing&ns=sports-horse_racing"> NBC Sports starting at 4:30pm EDT</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><i>Stick with <a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown">this storystream</a> for updates, results and more from the 2012 Belmont Stakes. For full time horse racing news and analysis, check out <a href="http://www.anddownthestretchteycome.com">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:</i></span></p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3074617/2012-belmont-stakes-updated-odds-watch-onlinePete Eich2012-06-09T07:00:44-05:002012-06-09T07:00:44-05:00Belmont Stakes 2012: Entries, Latest Odds, Post Positions And More
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<p>The Triple Crown is the most coveted prize in horse racing. Prior to Friday's shocking news, it looked like the sport may have had its first Triple Crown winner since 1978, but I'll Have Another was forced to withdraw from the race. </p>
<p>That leaves a tightly packed field of 11 horses. Dullahan takes over as the favorite, but is closely followed in the odds by Union Rags and Paynter. </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 Stakes, stick with<a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown"> SB Nation Minnesota's Story Stream</a>. You can also check out <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>, SB Nation's home for all things horse racing.</i></p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/9/3074028/2012-belmont-stakes-time-tv-live-streaming-onlineRyan Van Bibber2012-06-08T19:49:18-05:002012-06-08T19:49:18-05:00Belmont Stakes 2012 Odds: Dullahan Now Favored, Followed Closely By Union Rags, Paynter
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<p>The picture changed considerably for the 2012 Belmont Stakes on Friday. Racing enthusiasts and an interested public was shocked to learn that I'll Have Another, a heavy favorite to win the race, was withdrawn from Saturday's race. Needless to say, that altered the odds picture significantly, and the field is tightly packed with possibilities.</p>
<p>Dullahan takes over as the favorite to win the race. Following closely behind is Union Rags. Paynter is a close third in the odds as the field for race now dwindles to 11 horses.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drf.com/news/2012-belmont-stakes-field-odds" target="_blank">Odds for the remaining horses</a> in the race are as follows, sorted 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 Stakes, stick with<a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown"> SB Nation Minnesota's Story Stream</a>. You can also check out <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>, SB Nation's home for all things horse racing.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/8/3073940/current-belmont-stakes-odds-2012Ryan Van Bibber2012-06-08T13:00:52-05:002012-06-08T13:00:52-05:002012 Belmont Stakes: Doug O'Neill Explains Why I'll Have Another Withdrew From Belmont
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<p>On Friday, I'll Have Another's Triple Crown dreams officially ended before they ever had a chance to begin. Winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the horse was one win at the Belmont shy of completing the first Triple Crown in horse racing since 1978 when Affirmed accomplished the feat. Later on Friday afternoon, I'll Have Another's trainer Doug O'Neill addressed the media to explain the situation.</p>
<p>The decision was made early Friday morning when the Triple Crown hopeful was taken out on a morning gallop. Despite looking good according to O'Neill, the group involved with the horse was concerned with swelling that had appeared in the left front tendon.</p>
<p>After having a doctor look at the horse, it was determined that it was the beginning of tendonitis.</p>
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<p>"This has been an incredible ride and incredible run," O'Neill said via a televised press conference on ESPN. "I've taken plenty of mental notes and I know we'll be back here next year."</p>
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<p>Of course, O'Neill will be returning without I'll Have Another. The group involved with the horse has determined unanimously to retire I'll Have Another from racing. In retirement, I'll Have Another could bring millions of dollars in stud fees.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Belmont Stakes, stick with<a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown"> SB Nation Minnesota's Story Stream</a>. You can also check out <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com/">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>, SB Nation's home for all things horse racing.</i></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/8/3073205/belmont-stakes-2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-retirement-withdrawl-news-info-updatesMatt Brigidi2012-06-08T10:57:16-05:002012-06-08T10:57:16-05:002012 Belmont Stakes: I'll Have Another Will Officially Miss Race
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<p>All of the odds were in the favor of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another for the Belmont Stakes, despite him being drawn to the 11th position in the upcoming race. I'll Have Another looked like the sure favorite to be the first horse since 1978 to win the Triple Crown, but unfortunately he will never have the chance.</p>
<p>Early on Friday, <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Hazelton/status/211111075171672065">rumors started to swirl</a> regarding I'll Have Another's ability to race in the Belmont Stakes. It didn't take long for the rumors to become confirmed; I'll Have Another, for undisclosed reasons, is officially out of Belmont and the Triple Crown race.</p>
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<p>Doug O'Neill: "I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont."</p>
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpshow/status/211116520716238849" data-datetime="2012-06-08T15:24:35+00:00">June 8, 2012</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Hazelton/status/211116372430827520">According to HRTV reporter Scott Hazelton</a>, here will be an official press conference regarding I'll Have Another at 1:00 p.m. ET. No word is out on what caused I'll Have Another to drop out or what horse will take his place yet.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Belmont Stakes, stick with<a href="http://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/5/21/3035195/2012-triple-crown-ill-have-another-shoots-for-elusive-triple-crown"> SB Nation Minnesota's Story Stream</a>. You can also check out <a href="http://anddownthestretchtheycome.com">And Down The Stretch They Come</a>, SB Nation's home for all things horse racing.</i></p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2012/6/8/3072905/2012-belmont-stakes-ill-have-another-outChris White