Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags' Narrow Victory Is an Instant Classic

Union Rags did what many thought he would do for the third time in a row when the Triple Crown began, winning the Belmont Stakes by barely edging out Paynter for the victory.

With John Velazquez as his jockey and with trainer Michael Matz at the helm, Union Rags lived up to the hype from the beginning of the season when he was one of the favorites at the Kentucky Derby. After finishing seventh at the the Derby and not running in the Preakness, he still was a 5-2 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes.

When I'll Have Another bowed out of the race, many thought this race would be a dud. However, fate shined on the horses running this year's 144th Belmont, and they gave us one of the best races of the season.

After riding anywhere from fourth to fifth for most of the race, Union Rags made the late push around the final stretch to oust Paynter and the rest of the field for the victory by a head.

We thought I'll Have Another was done affecting the outcome of the Triple Crown, but it's clear he had words with Union Rags about how to win a Triple Crown race.

Union Rags charged the final furlong with a swift push from Velazquez, coming on the inside of Paynter and jockey Mike Smith to the delight of the crowd and those who had money down on the one-time favorite to be the 12th Triple Crown winner.

Not only was this race more than many expected, it was one that will likely go down as one of the best in the history of the event.

With all the hype surround I'll Have Another, this race was set up to go down as one that would be remembered as a forgotten affair.

But Union Rags came charging down the back stretch to erase those sentiments and beat another Bob Baffert-owned horse (he owns Bodemeister) to cement his legacy as a legitimate winner and one that we will all fondly remember after the unfortunate events surrounding I'll Have Another.