Belmont Stakes 2011: Ruler on Ice Races to Victory

Ruler On Ice should change his name to Ruler On the Slop. At 24-1 odds, Ruler on Ice shocked the field at the 143^rd running of the Belmont Stakes.

The favorite, Animal Kingdom, clipped heels with Monzon, and almost unsaddled jockey John Velazquez, who almost fell down after getting his left foot off the stirrup. He lost every opportunity right there.

As expected, Shackleford went right to the lead at the start, followed by Ruler On Ice, Stay Thirsty and Santiva. Animal Kingdom, at this time, was about 15 lengths off the lead.

Shackleford covered the open quarter in 23.92. This first four ran in the exact order for the initial six furlongs, with Shackleford, like he did in the Preakness Stakes, able to slow the pace down to the six furlong in 1:14.51.

Ruler On Ice first checked on Shackleford after this six furlong mark, enough to make Jesus Castanon make a slight urging on his horse to avoid Ruler On Ice to get by him.

Meanwhile, at the start of the long final turn, Brilliant Speed and Mucho Macho Man were starting to make their moves from the pack with Master of Hounds right behind them.

Animal Kingdom was starting to pick the pace up from the rear, and at least at this moment looked like he could turn the tables and do the impossible and win the race.

As they entered the home stretch, Brilliant Speed, with Joel Rosario, looked like a winner in the clear on the outside, passing Ruler On Ice, while Shackleford battled Stay thirsty for third. Animal Kingdom was still reeling on the outside, leaving one to wonder if he could actually pull off the victory.

But during the stretch Brilliant Speed flattened out, and Ruler On Ice on his inside, under a great urging by the Peruvian jockey Jose Valdivia Jr, came back and passed him while another longshot. Stay Thirsty under Javier Castellano, also came back and took second.

Brilliant Speed finished third, while Nehro just passed the tiring Shackleford and Animal Kingdom, who at mid-stretch had also flattened out after an incredible show of guts to finish sixth.

The final time for Ruler on Ice was a respectable 2:30.88. Ruler On Ice is owned by George and Lori Hall, trained by Kelly Breen and was ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr. It was the first Belmont Stakes win for each of them.

The final order of finish and payouts are as follows:

1. Ruler On Ice                       $51.50                   $26.00                   $13.60
2. Stay Thirsty                                                      $19.40                   $10.80
3. Brilliant Speed                                                                                  $7.90
4. Nehro
5. Shackleford
6. Animal Kingdom
7. Mucho Macho Man
8. Santiva
9. Monzon
10. Master Of Hounds
11. Prime Cut
12. Isn’t He Perfect