Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Paynter Not Pressed Enough to Hold off Union Rags

Union Rags was able to close on Paynter over the final yards to win the 2012 Belmont Stakes. Paynter's jockey, Mike Smith, didn't take advantage of the easy run and slow pace, surprisingly allowing Union Rags to slip inside him on the rail.

Paynter seemed to have enough gas to press a bit more early in the race. Smith was content to sit right in front of the pack, though, instead of opening up a lead.

Union Rags was on the rail behind Paynter, and the slow field left a block of horses on the outside. Union Rags was seemingly squeezed out of the last leg of the Triple Crown.

Then the unthinkable happened.

Smith allowed Paynter to drift off the rail, despite an easy turn. It was an unforgivable error, and trainer Bob Baffert should have significant pause before letting Smith on one of his horses again.

Union Rags was the fastest horse on the day and got the win, but jockey John Velasquez should be thanking Smith for the trip. Velasquez succeeded on good fortune as much as skill.

Union Rags paid $7.50, $4.20 and $3.10 across the board. Paynter paid $5.10 to place and $3.90 to show, while a show bet on Atigun had the best payout of all of them, at $10.60.

The Union Rags-Paynter exacta paid $31.40, all based on a $2 bet.

The $1 trifecta with Atigun paid $248.00, while adding Street Life created a superfecta payout of $953.00. 

Street Life got off to an easy start and was able to sit at the back of the pack not too far off the lead. However, he was never pushed and couldn't quite get into the third slot.

Atigun stayed just off the lead and couldn't work out to make a run.