Belmont Stakes 2012 Results: I'll Have Another's Absence Didn't Damper Race

The excitement surrounding the Belmont Stakes dissolved with I'll Have Another's disappointing scratch. The race itself could have died as well, but the remaining horses managed to save the Triple Crown's final leg.

Dullahan's disappointing run, Paynter's error on the rail and Union Rags' fleeting sprint down the backstretch were all must-watch moments. Historically, they don't compete with I'll Have Another's shattered Triple Crown hopes, but that doesn't mean the other 11 colts in the 144th edition of the Belmont wouldn't, or couldn't, hold up their end of the bargain.

I'll Have Another's presence would have been invigorating. Record-breaking, or extremely rare, feats transmit excitement from experts and casual fans alike.

Let's look at how this race's finer moments made the Belmont better than expected.

Where Was Dullahan?

Dullahan finished seventh after entering as this year's favorite. At one point, he was in 10th place.

A poor showing from the predicted champion could have ruined the remnants of Belmont's value. Union Rags and Paynter picked up the slack, but Javier Castellano never managed to find clear ground.

He could have maneuvered his way among the contenders, but he toiled with the pretenders instead.

Watching Dullahan struggle didn't feel like a big deal. I'll Have Another was the real Belmont favorite, but Dullahan was painted as a dominant horse as well.

A third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby grabbed people's attention. After his inspiring run, trainer Dale Ramons sat him for the Preakness Stakes.

Somehow, Dullahan managed to gain momentum just from resting.

All of that considerable buildup came to a disappointing, and surprising, conclusion.

Paynter's Fatal Error

Paynter's trainer, Mike Smith, made a costly error on the race's most pivotal moment.

Union Rags made his final charge, and Paynter almost appeared to let it happen. Giving up the rail is never a good strategy, especially on a massive stage.

This mistake cost Paynter the race.

Bob Baffert has run two horses in this year's Triple Crown races. Bodemeister lost both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in the race's final lengths with Smith controlling the action.

Paynter's Belmont collapse completed a bitter Triple Crown run for Smith and Baffert.

In an interview with Daily Racing Form, Smith had this to say about Saturday's run.

"

I’m going to take the blame. I’m an old veteran, no one’s supposed to get through on me, and he did. I thought I had it for that one moment; he stepped out just enough and he got up in there.

"

After leading most of the race, making a crucial error must hurt for everyone directly involved.

It hurt almost as much to watch.

Union Rags to the Rescue

The finishes in this year's Triple Crown fit snugly together. Three nail-biting dashes down the race's most important stretch made horse racing's biggest spectacle can't-miss television.

Union Rags' unbelievable gallop almost had to happen. It just made sense.

But things that make that much sense don't usually happen. Watching it go down in the Belmont was perfect.

John Velazquez kicked his powerful horse at the perfect point and Union Rags did the rest. When Paynter offered little resistance, he stole the race from Bob Baffert's hopeful hands.

I'll Have Another's shadow certainly hung over yesterday's events. These three events carried the burden and made the Belmont worthy of anyone's attention.

Sure, The Daily's Dan Wolken may be right.

"

The final time 2:30 and 2/5 is SLOW...Real slow. Will always wonder what might have been.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 9, 2012"

But that doesn't mean we didn't see a great race.