Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: Union Rags' Win Tainted Without I'll Have Another

Union Rags had a marvelous finish to the Belmont Stakes, but it lacks luster without the presence of I'll Have Another.

Union Rags was long thought to be a top-notch colt, and was one of the favorites at the Kentucky Derby, which seems like it was year ago, even though it was last month. This race and its winner was doomed to doubt from the start.

Don't get me wrong; it was an exciting race, check it out here:

A true purist of the sport is going to appreciate this race for what it was. That could be said for all three Triple Crown events, but for Union Rags to get his due, he needed I'll Have Another there. He had finished a disappointing seventh at Churchill Downs.

This, while I'll Have Another was just beginning his dramatic rise to the top of the horse racing world.

The jockey was Julien Leparoux at the time, but the decision was made to drop him, and Union Rags skipped the Preakness Stakes. As we all know, I'll Have Another took the race at Pimlico in dramatic fashion.

The Belmont Stakes was supposed to be a rematch of the highly touted Union Rags taking on I'll Have Another. Union Rags took to the track with a new jockey (John Velazquez) and new resolve.

He looked better pre-race and he was plenty strong during the race. He could have denied I'll Have Another's bid to become the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner.

Instead, an injury to I'll Have Another's leg beat him to it.

Even though Union Rags pulled off the amazing come-from-behind win, much like the two victories I'll Have Another recorded at the Derby and Pimlico, this victory is a bit empty.

You'd like to think you had the best horse when you win. But this almost seems like a win by default.

There won't be an asterisk next to his name in the record books, but there is one in my mind.

Here are the official results:

Horse	Win	Place	Show
1. Union Rags	7.50	4.20	3.40
2. Paynter		5.10	3.90
3. Atigun			10.60

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