NEW YORK — Even with its star sidelined and no Triple Crown to contest, the Belmont Stakes proved this much: The show does go on.
And it went on pretty well, thanks to a thrilling race and a photo finish.
Fans were rewarded with a sizzling finale to the season’s Triple Crown series when Union Rags overcame Paynter in the closing strides to win by a neck. I’ll Have Another’s victory over Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby was decided by 1 1/2 lengths. The chestnut colt followed up with an even closer neck victory over his rival in the Preakness, the same margin Union Rags won by on Saturday at Belmont Park.
“It was a very exciting race at the end,” winning jockey John Velazquez said.
The Belmont lost its main attraction on the eve of the race when I’ll Have Another was suddenly and shockingly retired with a left front tendon injury.
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