Belmont Stakes sees Summer Bird victory

Agence France-Presse

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Borel, trying to become the first jockey to win all three legs of the US racing's Triple Crown on two different horses, guided Mine That Bird from last to the lead heading into the sweeping final turn in the 1.5-mile race.

But Summer Bird responded under Desormeaux, who captured his first victory in the Belmont - a race where he had twice seen hopes of Triple Crown glory dashed. "I thought I was home free," Borel said. "But the other horses galloped by."

Summer Bird, who went off at 11-1, beat Dunkirk by 3 lengths with Mine That Bird third.

Mine That Bird's unlikely Kentucky Derby triumph and Borel's subsequent defection to super filly Rachel Alexandra for the Preakness Stakes insured the spotlight would be on the unimposing gelding trained by Chip Woolley.

But it was another son of 2004 Belmont winner Birdstone - Summer Bird - who starred on the New York stage.

Trainer Tim Ice, who only opened his stable last year after spending 10 years as an assistant with various trainers, seemed shocked by the achievement of Summer Bird, who was making his fifth career start.

"Right now it's just unexplainable," said Ice, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday. "If my career goes nowhere from here, I've got a Belmont win and you can't take that away from me."

Mine That Bird, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, was full of energy in the saddling area and may have prompted Borel to make his move sooner than anticipated.

"He ran a great race and just got beat, and you have to accept that and go on," said Woolley.