Belmont Stakes Winner Union Rags Takes Advantage of Longer Belmont Track

Union Rags fell short of expectations in the Kentucky Derby and didn't race in the Preakness, the middle leg of the Triple Crown. But jockey John Velazquez took advantage of a longer track, the absence of I'll Have Another and a bad trip by Paynter rider Mike Smith to win the 2012 Belmont Stakes.

The pace of this race certainly favored a speed horse that wanted to open up a lead or a closer waiting to make a late break to close a 10-length gap. Neither of these happened, though.

Street Life was a closer that looked to have a great shot early in the race. He was off to an easy start and was jogging in the back of the pack not too far off the lead.

However, he didn't seem to be pushed and ended up just behind the show horse, Atigun.

Paynter was the speed horse that was expected to control the early pace. He was pushed a bit out of the gate by My Adonis, but he looked to have heavy feet in the parade to post and couldn't catch the lead horse.

Paynter easily took the rail at the head of the pack and Smith seemed content with a small lead. He didn't seem to push his horse to open up a few lengths on the field. 

Union Rags was in dangerous territory. He sat just off the pace, but was on the inside rail with a horse in front of him and a pack to his outside.

Paynter had plenty of gas to close out the race and it seemed Velazquez would literally get squeezed out of a victory.

However, following the final turn, Smith let Paynter drift off the rail. Union Rags was ready and opened up his stride when prompted. The result was an appreciated win for trainer Michael Matz.

Bob Baffert trains Paynter and Bodemeister, the runner-up to I'll Have Another in the first two legs. It is hard to know if he had the best horse in this field, but certainly should have had the win.

On a shorter track, Paynter may have very well held off Union Rags on his own. But the 1.5-mile Belmont track gave him enough distance to finish. Smith just gave him the lane.