Rags Lands Untold Riches In Belmont

Rags To Riches became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years when she got the better of Curlin in a thrilling battle for the final leg of the American Triple Crown in New York.

Not since Tanya in 1905 had a member of the fairer sex claimed the mile-and-a-half showpiece, with the only other female winner being Ruthless in 1867.

But the Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of AP Indy ? running in the colours of Coolmore´s Michael Tabor ? put the record straight as she outstayed the Preakness hero down the home straight.

The half-sister to last year´s winner Jazil was held up in the early stages by John Velazquez after stumbling slightly coming out of the stalls and was still full of running alongside Curlin as the race began in earnest coming out of the final turn.

It was almost impossible to separate the pair as the line loomed but the filly, in receipt of 5lb, gave her all to flash past the post with her nose in front.

Pletcher has won most of the big prizes in America but was recording a first Classic success with his 29th runner.

He told ESPN: 'It´s a special feeling no matter when you do it, but to do it with a filly when it hasn´t been done in 102 years, it´s a real credit to how good she is.

'When she stumbled I had a bad feeling but we wanted to be patient and she gallops all day.

'When they turned for home and I saw Curlin sneak on the inside of her I knew it was going to be a horse race from there. We were very fortunate to get it done.'

Tabor added: 'It is a fantastic feat ? if you´re not in, you can´t win. We thought that is what the public would really like to see.

'I always said to Todd it would be his final decision to run. We discussed it many times and I´m glad he made that decision. We´re enjoying this.

'I´d like her to run in the Alabama (at Saratoga) and then maybe the (Breeders´ Cup) Classic at the end of the year.'

Joint-owner Derrick Smith said: 'Your heart is in your mouth, but we had a great jockey and a great trainer, who conditioned her well.

'We knew she would get the trip. We just cheered her home ? girl power won in the end.'

Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Curlin, was magnanimous in defeat.

He said: 'She fought back very well. She´s a deserved Classic winner. We´ve won one, now we have to learn how to take it (defeat).

'She ran a great race on the right day. Curlin came home really well and ran all the way to the wire.'

(C) PA Sport