Redemption

2006 was a horrible year for Michael Matz. Last year's Belmont was disaster for John Velazquez when Animal Kingdom had a horrible break in the Belmont. Union Rags was getting horrible rides by first Javiar Castellano and then Julien Leparoux. All three where out for redemption in this year's Belmont.

All three got it. As Velazquez and Union Rags where able to sneak through the rail to get the Belmont over Paynter with Atigun in third. Phyliss Wyeth the daughter in law to the great painter Andrew Wyeth is the winning owner.

With that the 2012 Triple Crown is over. It's going to be a what if, what if I'll Have Another had been healthy. I think we would have been looking at our 12th Triple Crown winner and not the 12th horse since Affirmed to failed to get it done. Normally I'm glad when the TC is over because it's 5 stressful weeks. However, this year is different. Maybe it's because for the first time since 2007, I'm okay with the winners (horse and jockey wise). It's going to be a fun summer and I can't wait for the Haskell (with fingers crossed I will be attending for the first time).

A few other thoroughts:

* NBC is getting alot of flak today for their coverage today. To excent I agree, they had to drop a good portion of it due to I'll Have Another being scratched, but come on now. Ryan Seacrest interviewing Michael Phelps was the best you could do? (even though MP is from Maryland and Bob Bowman his coach has horses).

*Ahmed Zayat is offically the unluckiest owner in racing when it comes to the Triple Crown. 2nd in 09 Derby, 2nd in the 11 Derby, 2nd in the 12 Derby, 2nd in the 12 Preakness and now 2nd in the 12 Belmont.

* Once again just because you are training well doesn't mean you'll run well *cough Dullahan cough*.

* Paynter and Bode can now swap stories about tough beats.

* Johnny V must love riding horses with the word Rags in their names, first with the great filly Rags to Riches and now today with Union.

* Union is the 3rd Delaware Park maiden breaker at 2 to win the Belmont at 3 (Afleet Alex and Ruler on Ice being the other 2)

I'm going to take a few days off to recover from the Triple Crown, but I'll be back next week lots of goodies including a very exciting Pedigree Look at Pierro (Australia's Triple Crown winner).