Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags Lives Up to Promise

Union Rags was supposed to win the Kentucky Derby. Coming off a win at the Fountain of Youth Stakes and a third-place finish at the Florida Derby, he was supposed to be the horse to beat.

Well, Union Rags disappointed in the Kentucky Derby, but he sure made up for it at the 2012 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, blasting past Paynter to emerge victorious at Belmont Park.

Order of Finish

1. Union Rags

2. Paynter

3. Atigun

Union Rags was coming off a lackluster, seventh-place finish at Churchill Downs. He hadn't raced since.

But perhaps that rest was what he needed, as he looked at Belmont like the contender he was supposed to be in the Kentucky Derby.

There was a sentiment that the change to jockey John Velasquez would make a difference for Union Rags on Saturday. That proved to be true, as Velasquez kept Union Rags within striking distance on the rail, patiently waiting for an opening before Paynter's jockey, Mike Smith, slightly opened up the inside position.

This is the race we expected from Union Rags all along. He came out blazing in 2012, and while the field was considered wide open at the Kentucky Derby, he still was tabbed by many to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.

But winning the third leg of the Triple Crown isn't a bad consolation prize, and owner Phyllis Wyeth must be pretty happy right about now that she re-purchased Union Rags.

Trainer Michael Matz, of course, deserves tons of credit for preparing Union Rags so well after a disheartening Kentucky Derby.

There was always faith in Union Rags, the horse just needed to live up to his promise.

Union Rags did just that on Saturday at Belmont Park, and his electric finish almost made us forget about I'll Have Another's dropping out of the race.

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about horse racing together.