Ruler on Ice is Surprise Winner at Belmont

Posted June 11th, 2011 at 7:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Ruler On Ice, ridden by jockey Jose Valdivia, has won the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes in New York.

Ruler On Ice stole the lead from Preakness winner Shackleford in the stretch to win the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Shackleford led from the start Saturday, but fell back at the end. Stay Thirsty finished second and Brilliant Speed was third as the favorites struggled on the rain-soaked track.

The much-hyped match between Shackleford and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom never materialized. Shackleford finished fifth, while Animal Kingdom finished sixth.

The winner of the Belmont Stakes takes home $1 million.