Belmont Stakes 2011 – Ruler on Ice excels in wet conditions - Animal Kingdom and favourites fade
It was shaping out to be one of the most exciting races, despite no possibility of a Triple Crown winner, since the 2005 edition.
The build-up was uncannily similar to the 2005 Triple Crown grand finale between Afleet Alex the Preakness Stakes winner and Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo.
Before the 2011 Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom had won the Kentucky Derby and Shackleford had won the Preakness Stakes.
It was the 22nd time that the Kentucky Derby winner and the Preakness Stakes winner were to grind it out at the Belmont Stakes for the ultimate glory on the grandest of stages in horse racing.
Post position draws also helped the fact that these two were the ones to look out for but the marathon distance of one and a half mile of the Belmont needed good jockey skills and tactics and of course the pace of the horse to determine the winner.
In other words, from a fans perspective, it was anyone’s race.
This time around the competitive nature of the horses was more intense than the previous Belmont Stakes. Horses such as, Mucho Macho Man, who ran in all the Triple Crown races, was still looking good for the last one, Nehro, who finished second to Animal
Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby, was rested in the Preakness Stakes by owner, Ahmad Zayat, and was touted as a serious contender.
Another record was that eight horses, who ran in the Kentucky Derby, returned for the Belmont Stakes, which has never happened before.
It was expected that the showdown between Animal Kingdom and Shackleford will be good for business and rejuvenate the turnout at the Belmont Stakes. 2010 witnessed a disappointing turn when the attendance fell 13.3% from that of 2009.
Expectations were met and in the 2011 Belmont Stakes, the turnout was impressive, with just under fifty-six thousand spectators showing up for the race, 55,779 to be exact. The wagering graph touched the $10 million mark as well.
What attracted the crowds was the fact that nobody knew what was going to happen despite the favourites, and, the uncertainty created a peculiar buzz about the race.
With temperatures soaring to 100 degrees before the big race, forecasts for showers on race day were welcomed by the crowd. Showers did hit the race track and wet conditions washed away all predictions.
Animal Kingdom started out with stumbling, clipping heels, and, bumping with Much Macho Man. Shackleford’s run looked promising as he became the pacesetter for the race but he was followed by two 24-1 long shots, Ruler on Ice, and, Stay Thirsty.
Shackleford faded out of the equation in the final stretch and set up a huge upset.
It was a well deserved win for the son of Kentucky Derby winner, Roman Ice, but most importantly the Belmont distance showed once again that the distance will be covered with a combination of pace and a little bit of horse racing luck.
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