Drosselmeyer wins the 2010 Belmont Stakes
June 5, 2010
The 2010 Triple Crown campaign concluded in New York on Saturday with the 142nd renewal of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) before a crowd of 45,243 under sunny skies. A field of 10 three-year-olds contested the 1 1/2 mile "Test of the Champion", with Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box sent off as the 9-5 favorite over stablemate Fly Down, winner of the Dwyer at Belmont Park by 6 lengths in his last start, and 6-1 third choice First Dude, a close second after setting the pace in the Preakness last out for trainer Dale Romans.
First Dude went to lead and set easy fractions of 24.15, 49.19, 1:14.94, and 1:40.25, while Interactif stalked him 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Ice Box was unhurried in 8th some 9 lengths off the pace early. First Dude continued to lead on the far turn and into the stretch, getting 1 1/4 miles in 2:04.97. Interactif tired and dropped out of contention as Game on Dude, who was 3rd early, moved up to challenge. Drosselmeyer, who was 5th early, came out 5 wide for run and rallied well, passing the pacesetter inside the 1/16 pole to win by 3/4 length in 2:31.57 over the fast track. Fly Down closed from 6th to nose out pacesetter First Dude for second money. Favorite Ice Box gained ground on the far turn on the inside, but when switched outside for his rally at the 1/4 pole, lacked further response finishing 9th beaten 11 1/4 lengths.
Uptowncharlybrown finished 5th just 3 lengths back, but was disqualified to last by the stewards for losing the 8 pound lead pad at the 7/8 pole and coming back underweight.
Results chart
Belmont Undercard Stakes - the Manhattan Handicap (G1), Just a Game Stakes (G1), Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2)
Drosselmeyer walks down Victory Lane
Winning jockey Mike Smith said, "It was a great trip. It was all about getting into the rhythm and we did it. It worked out. It was incredible. It's great to come home (after winning two Grade 1 races today for trainer Bill Mott)."
Elliott Walden, vice president and racing manager for winning owner WinStar Farm said, "We just feel blessed all year with the opportunities that we've been given. We've been given great opportunities at WinStar with the resources with the Troutts and the Casners put into the business, and so, you know, it's just nice to see your hard work come together and it's been such a team feeling all spring, you know, you go into a barn, a yearling barn, you go into the stallion barn, you know, our stallion manager, Larry McGuinness is walking on clouds right now with his Distorted Humor, being the daddy of this one.
We have a great team in place, starts at the top with the Troutts and the Casners, and it's just a real blessing."
Drosselmeyer in the winner's circle
Winning trainer Bill Mott said, "I thought he was in a good position. I knew they were going slow, but he was in range. People don't know it, but this is the second Belmont winner I've saddled. I saddled Victory Gallop (in the 1998 Belmont) for Elliott when he had a broken leg. It was actually Elliott's idea to go to the Dwyer. We thought about wheeling back into either the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass, but we just said we should stick with our original plan.
I got a little nervous when he ran in the Dwyer and looked like he needed some racing, but it turned out to be a good plan."
This was Mott's first win in a Triple Crown race.
The Belmont Stakes trophy presentation
Elliott Walden said, "I'd like to say we would have done the right thing by the horse, which we did by showing patience, but, you know, the Derby does crazy things to you. It was fortunate that we had the other options with Super Saver and Rule and American Lion and Endorsement at the time. It's just been a great spring."
Bill Mott added, "Our horse hadn't been out in seven weeks, which neither had the winner of the Dwyer (Fly Down).
I thought our horse would probably improve to just having had the race. I think he had been dormant for seven weeks, and I think he does a little better with a little more racing. The race, obviously, moved him forward. You saw the result today. He got a nice clean trip today. Didn't have to check. You know, Mike gave him a nice, smooth ride."
Drosselmeyer in the paddock
Farm manager Doug Cauthen said, "We always believed in him so much. We did think this was the day that he would either put up or we'd have to quick making an excuse and he really put it up, you know, he came. He just ran a super race, and he was poised to run a great race. And it's pretty satisfying to see it happen. (Belmont Park) is a beautiful facility. If you love horses, this is the place for horses to be, it's special."
Second place finisher Fly Down
Jockey John Velazquez said, "He gave me something extra. As soon as we got past a mile, he started picking it up. Mike rode a really good race. He kept me there when I tried to ride my horse in between horses, he was a little intimidated. When Mike passed us and I pulled to the outside, that's when he started running."
Trainer Dale Romans said, "We had a perfect trip and everything went like we planned, we just couldn't hold it together right there at the end. He ran 1 1/2, he ran hard, he did all the work again on the lead. I'm real happy with him. He put in a great effort. No excuses. He wants to run all day. He's still learning, he's still getting it together and he's still improving. I think we have a lot of fun races in front of us.
He'll fly back to Kentucky on Monday, take a little break and figure out what to do with him."
Jockey Ramon Dominguez added, "I had a perfect trip. In the stretch, he was getting out, just a little tired. I was very proud of him. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Trainer Nick Zito said, "Obviously I'm disappointed about Ice Box. He didn't deal with the heat well today. The Pulpit came out in him a little bit today. We'll have to regroup and see what happens."
Jockey Jose Lezcano added, "It was a little hot for him today, and the pace was slow. We were in a good position throughout the race. When I asked him to run, he showed no interest. He didn't have it today, he didn't fire."
June 5, 2010
The 2010 Triple Crown campaign concluded in New York on Saturday with the 142nd renewal of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) before a crowd of 45,243 under sunny skies. A field of 10 three-year-olds contested the 1 1/2 mile "Test of the Champion", with Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box sent off as the 9-5 favorite over stablemate Fly Down, winner of the Dwyer at Belmont Park by 6 lengths in his last start, and 6-1 third choice First Dude, a close second after setting the pace in the Preakness last out for trainer Dale Romans.
First Dude went to lead and set easy fractions of 24.15, 49.19, 1:14.94, and 1:40.25, while Interactif stalked him 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Ice Box was unhurried in 8th some 9 lengths off the pace early. First Dude continued to lead on the far turn and into the stretch, getting 1 1/4 miles in 2:04.97. Interactif tired and dropped out of contention as Game on Dude, who was 3rd early, moved up to challenge. Drosselmeyer, who was 5th early, came out 5 wide for run and rallied well, passing the pacesetter inside the 1/16 pole to win by 3/4 length in 2:31.57 over the fast track. Fly Down closed from 6th to nose out pacesetter First Dude for second money. Favorite Ice Box gained ground on the far turn on the inside, but when switched outside for his rally at the 1/4 pole, lacked further response finishing 9th beaten 11 1/4 lengths.
Uptowncharlybrown finished 5th just 3 lengths back, but was disqualified to last by the stewards for losing the 8 pound lead pad at the 7/8 pole and coming back underweight.
Results chart
Belmont Undercard Stakes - the Manhattan Handicap (G1), Just a Game Stakes (G1), Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2)
Drosselmeyer walks down Victory Lane
Winning jockey Mike Smith said, "It was a great trip. It was all about getting into the rhythm and we did it. It worked out. It was incredible. It's great to come home (after winning two Grade 1 races today for trainer Bill Mott)."
Elliott Walden, vice president and racing manager for winning owner WinStar Farm said, "We just feel blessed all year with the opportunities that we've been given. We've been given great opportunities at WinStar with the resources with the Troutts and the Casners put into the business, and so, you know, it's just nice to see your hard work come together and it's been such a team feeling all spring, you know, you go into a barn, a yearling barn, you go into the stallion barn, you know, our stallion manager, Larry McGuinness is walking on clouds right now with his Distorted Humor, being the daddy of this one.
We have a great team in place, starts at the top with the Troutts and the Casners, and it's just a real blessing."
Drosselmeyer in the winner's circle
Winning trainer Bill Mott said, "I thought he was in a good position. I knew they were going slow, but he was in range. People don't know it, but this is the second Belmont winner I've saddled. I saddled Victory Gallop (in the 1998 Belmont) for Elliott when he had a broken leg. It was actually Elliott's idea to go to the Dwyer. We thought about wheeling back into either the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass, but we just said we should stick with our original plan.
I got a little nervous when he ran in the Dwyer and looked like he needed some racing, but it turned out to be a good plan."
This was Mott's first win in a Triple Crown race.
The Belmont Stakes trophy presentation
Elliott Walden said, "I'd like to say we would have done the right thing by the horse, which we did by showing patience, but, you know, the Derby does crazy things to you. It was fortunate that we had the other options with Super Saver and Rule and American Lion and Endorsement at the time. It's just been a great spring."
Bill Mott added, "Our horse hadn't been out in seven weeks, which neither had the winner of the Dwyer (Fly Down).
I thought our horse would probably improve to just having had the race. I think he had been dormant for seven weeks, and I think he does a little better with a little more racing. The race, obviously, moved him forward. You saw the result today. He got a nice clean trip today. Didn't have to check. You know, Mike gave him a nice, smooth ride."
Drosselmeyer in the paddock
Farm manager Doug Cauthen said, "We always believed in him so much. We did think this was the day that he would either put up or we'd have to quick making an excuse and he really put it up, you know, he came. He just ran a super race, and he was poised to run a great race. And it's pretty satisfying to see it happen. (Belmont Park) is a beautiful facility. If you love horses, this is the place for horses to be, it's special."
Second place finisher Fly Down
Jockey John Velazquez said, "He gave me something extra. As soon as we got past a mile, he started picking it up. Mike rode a really good race. He kept me there when I tried to ride my horse in between horses, he was a little intimidated. When Mike passed us and I pulled to the outside, that's when he started running."
Trainer Dale Romans said, "We had a perfect trip and everything went like we planned, we just couldn't hold it together right there at the end. He ran 1 1/2, he ran hard, he did all the work again on the lead. I'm real happy with him. He put in a great effort. No excuses. He wants to run all day. He's still learning, he's still getting it together and he's still improving. I think we have a lot of fun races in front of us.
He'll fly back to Kentucky on Monday, take a little break and figure out what to do with him."
Jockey Ramon Dominguez added, "I had a perfect trip. In the stretch, he was getting out, just a little tired. I was very proud of him. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Trainer Nick Zito said, "Obviously I'm disappointed about Ice Box. He didn't deal with the heat well today. The Pulpit came out in him a little bit today. We'll have to regroup and see what happens."
Jockey Jose Lezcano added, "It was a little hot for him today, and the pace was slow. We were in a good position throughout the race. When I asked him to run, he showed no interest. He didn't have it today, he didn't fire."
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