BELMONT STAKES

It has been quite a week. Even though it was terrible that I’ll Have Another had to be retired, they still ran the

Belmont and it was a hell of a race. Obviously Johnny Velazquez rode a great race. I don’t think Smith made as big of a mistake as some people are saying. Usually when a horse starts to get tired, they will drift a little as well as when you hit them left handed drifting will occur, (which unfortunutly for Smith )left enough space for Union Rags to gamely run through to win. It was a good race for Belmont having the largest attendance of 85,000 when there was no horse running for the triple crown, as well as the largest TV audience. It just shows there is still a lot of interest in Thoroughbred Racing across the country despite reports to the contrary. If the politicians and the “do gooders” would sit back and let it take its course, put their focus into promotion of the industry, racing might have a chance to pick back up.