Sunday, June 10, 2007

Chicks rule, guys drool

Filly Rags to Riches came from out of nowhere yesterday to win the Belmont Stakes. She's the first female to do so in 102 years. In fact, yesterday was EXACTLY 102 years since the last filly won the race.

Rags to Riches became the third filly to capture the Belmont -- Ruthless took the first running in 1867 and Tanya won in 1905. Only 22 fillies have tried the Belmont, with Rags to Riches the first since Silverbulletday finished seventh in 1999.

She's also the first filly to win a Triple Crown race since 1988, when a filly won the Kentucky Derby.

As if there weren't enough pressure, being the only girl in the race, but he owner and trainer were running a bit of a losing streak. Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez, who both ended long droughts in Triple Crown races: Pletcher was 0-for-28, Velazquez 0-for-20.

But Rags to Riches has some seriously noteworthy bloodlines. Her grandfather was Seattle Slew. And her half brother won last year's Belmont.

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