Belmont Stakes 2016 Results: Times, Payouts for Creator, Top Contenders
The 2016 edition of the Belmont Stakes lived up to its billing, as Creator claimed the title by a nose at the finish post Saturday.
The winner edged out Destin, Lani and General Malibu in a frantic battle for the line in Elmont, New York.
Preakness Stakes winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Exaggerator finished down the field in 11th after a subdued ride.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
NBC Sports provided a closer look at the unbelievable finish:
Here is the race's payout list, which split a purse of $1.5 million, along with the official finishing times:
| Creator | $34.80 | $14.60 | $9.40 |
| Destin | $9.40 | $6.20 | |
| Lani | $6.60 |
| 1 | Creator | - | $800,000 |
| 2 | Destin | Nose | $280,000 |
| 3 | Lani | 1 3/4 | $150,000 |
| 4 | Governor Malibu | 4 1/2 | $100,000 |
| 5 | Stradivari | 6 3/4 | $60,000 |
| 6 | Brody's Cause | 7 1/2 | $45,000 |
| 7 | Cherry Wine | 8 1/2 | $35,000 |
| 8 | Gettysburg | 9 1/2 | $30,000 |
| 9 | Suddenbreakingnews | 10 | - |
| 10 | Trojan Nation | 11 3/4 | - |
| 11 | Exaggerator | 14 3/4 | - |
| 12 | Seeking the Soul | 16 1/2 | - |
| 13 | Forever d'Oro | 18 | - |
Exaggerator was the focus for most horse racing fans after his stunning victory at the Preakness in May.
The fast-footed colt was the favourite because of Belmont's distance and his tendency to make late charges for the line.
The Big Chief Racing-owned youngster took the middle of the field, while Gettysburg and Destin jumped out to early leads.
Creator comfortably sat on the rail behind the favourite for most of the race before making a dramatic bid.
Lani pushed to the outside after the third turn and appeared to be in a strong position for the final moments of the race.
However, during the final turn, Creator came into his own and put his foot on the gas as he battled for the victory.
Exaggerator was clearly beaten at this point and surprisingly didn't have the speed to mount a serious challenge in the closing stages in New York.
Gettysburg faded at the end, and Creator pulled up side by side with Destin to create a memorable finish.
The long shot was not expected to compete well at Belmont, but he bucked the trend to claim a hard-fought win against the form book.
The race provided one of the great finishes in living memory, and Creator carved himself a piece of history at the Belmont Stakes.
The lack of challenge from Exaggerator was a huge letdown for punters, and if he'd made a more decisive move to position himself clear in the early moments, he might have had more in the tank as the finishing post approached.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
