One Gelding and Three Fillies Have Won Belmont
Male Creme Fraiche, Fillies Ruthless, Tanya, Rags to Riches Scored
May 26, 2009
Currently, all systems are go for a gelding, Mine That Bird, and a filly, Rachel Alexandra, to rumble in the 2009 Belmont Stakes. They'll reload and square off for the second time.
After a huge come-from-behind victory in the Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird almost ran down Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, but the game filly held on for a length long score. Rachel did not compete in the Derby.
Belmont History Has One Gelding Winner
In the history of the Belmont Stakes, Creme Fraiche is the only gelding to capture the race. In 1918, Lanius started in the Belmont. From then until 1957, geldings were not allowed to participate in major races, including the run for the carnations.
When American Thoroughbred racing separated itself from European influences, geldings once again became eligible to compete in the classics.
Juvenile Male champion of 1979, gelding Rockhill Native, started in the 1980 Belmont and ran to show.
Five years later, Creme Fraiche proved that the gelded can gallop to the winner's circle. Owned by Elizabeth Moran, the 1985 Belmont champion died in 2003 at Brushwood Farm in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Gelding Finishes in the Belmont Stakes
- 1985 --- Creme Fraiche -- won
- 1988 --- Kingpost -- 2nd
- 1991 --- Subordinated Debt -- 9th
- 1993 --- Prairie Bayou -- DNF (did not finish)
- 1996 --- Jamies First Punch -- 8th
- 1996 --- Cavonnier -- DNF
- 1997 --- Irish Silence -- 5th
- 1998 --- Thomas Jo -- 3rd
- 2000 --- Unshaded -- 3rd
- 2001 --- Balto Star -- 8th
- 2002 --- Magic Weisner -- 4th
- 2002 --- Perfect Drift -- 10th
- 2003 --- Funny Cide -- 3rd
- 2004 --- Tap Dancer -- 6th
While only three fillies have won the Belmont Stakes, six have finished as high as third in the race, with My Flag being the latest. She ran in 1996.
Genuine Risk, 1980's female dandy, finished on the board in all three Triple Crown races, winning the Kentucky Derby, going second in the Preakness Stakes, and placing again in the Belmont.
Three fillies battled in the Belmont of 1870, and two competed in each of three other years.
Belmont Stakes Filly Finishes
- 1867 --- Ruthless -- won
- 1868 --- Fanny Ludlow -- 3rd
- 1869 --- Invercauld -- 3rd
- 1869 --- Viola -- 7th
- 1870 --- Midday -- 3rd
- 1870 --- Nellie James -- 4th
- 1870 --- Stamps -- 6th
- 1871 --- Nellie Gray -- 4th
- 1871 --- Mary Clark -- 9th
- 1885 --- Miss Palmer -- 9th
- 1905 --- Tanya -- won
- 1905 --- Funders -- 7th
- 1913 --- Flying Fairy -- 3rd
- 1923 --- Miss Smith -- 8th
- 1927 --- Flambino -- 3rd
- 1932 --- Laughing Queen -- 10th
- 1954 --- Riverina -- 7th
- 1980 --- Genuine Risk -- 2nd
- 1988 --- Winning Colors --6th
- 1996 --- My Flag -- 3rd
- 1999 --- Silverbulletday -- 7th
- 2007 --- Rags to Riches -- won
Female Trainers of Belmont Stakes Starters
Risen Star put away Kingpost in the 1988 Belmont Stakes by a convincing margin. Still, Kingpost made his mark. Having been trained by a woman, Dianne Carpenter, Kingpost also achieved the best finish ever for a female-trained entrant in a Triple Crown race.
- 1984 --- Sarah Lundy, trainer of -- Minstrel Star, 11th
- 1985 --- Patricia Johnson -- Fast Account, 4th
- 1988 --- Dianne Carpenter -- Kingpost, 2nd
- 1992 --- Shelley Riley --Casual Lies, 5th
- 1996 --- Cynthia Reese -- In Contention, 9th
- 2002 --- Nancy Alberts -- Magic Weisner, 4th
- 2003 --- Linda Rice -- Supervisor, 5th
While Sarava got the stunning upset of War Emblem in the 2002 Belmont, Nancy Alberts had a brilliant success, as well. Not only did she train that year's Belmont starter Magic Weisner, she also bred and owned the colt.
