VIDEO Belmont 2016: Creator Wins In A Photo Finish
Longshot Creator pulled out an incredible photo finish to beat Destin by a nose at the 148th Belmont Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It was just the fourth photo finish in Belmont history.
Riding far wide out of the No. 13 gate, Creator dashed 6/5 favorite Exaggerator’s hopes of securing two of the Triple Crown’s jewels.
Destin finished second and Lani third, while Exaggerator never challenged the top of the pack and wound up 11th after taking down the Preakness Stakes and coming in second at the Kentucky Derby.
Starting the third contender of his illustrious carer at the Belmont, trainer Steve Asmussen, who was inducted into horse racing’s Hall of Fame this year, claimed the first Belmont victory of his career and also the first for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in front of an estimated crowd of 60,000.
Starting the day at 19/1 odds, Creator’s payout to win was $34.80, $14.60 to place, and $9.40 to show.
A huge chunk of the betting public believed in Exaggerator well before the race. Of the more than $8.4 million wagered on the Belmont, more than $3 million was on Exaggerator at 6/5 odds. Only Suddenbreakingnews, at 5/1 odds, came close with more than $1.1 million bet on him to win.
Sired by renowned stud Tapit, Creator entered the race with a career 2-4-1 record, including a disappointing 13th place run at the Derby last month. Asmussen wisely held Creator out of the Preakness and he picked up his first victory since taking down the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby in April.
Here's the full thrilling race.
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