What a day at Belmont Park!! The predicted rain storm never came and a record crowd of 120139 came out in hopes of seeing a Triple Crown attempt. As has happened six times in the last eight years the mile and one half distance of The Belmont Stakes proved the undoing of Smarty Jones as he was passed in late stretch by the Nick Zito trained Birdstone. This was the first Belmont Stakes victory for Zito who later claimed it as his greatest career win.
Smarty Jones and Stewart Elliott in Triple Crown Attempt
Birdstone and Edgar Prado pass Smarty Jones in late stretch
A crowded walk down victory lane