Palace Malice Wins 2013 Belmont Stakes

Las Vegas, NV - The final jewel in the 2013 Triple Crown went down this past Saturday in front of a packed house at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The $1 million Belmont Stakes took center stage as the best three year olds in the land went 1 1/2 miles for the prestigious crown - on a day that the cloud finally retreated in favor of sunny skies. Orb was back as the morning line favorite in attempt to capture his second jewel as was Oxbow who had beaten Orb, among others a few weeks ago in the Preakness Stakes. But it was a name that had been on bettors' radar for some time that finally realized his potential and recorded the impressive win.

Todd Pletcher trained Palace Malice utilized a terrific stretch run to overcome Oxbow and Orb and win by 3 1/4 lengths. Palace Malice was the seventh choice in the field of 14 at 14/1 odds. Preakness winner Oxbow couldn't withstand the pressure from Palace Malice and eventually finished second. He finished 1 3 /4 lengths in front of Orb, who was one length in front of Incognito. Revolutionary was fifth and was followed, in order, by the filly Unlimited Budget, Overanalyze, Vyjack, Golden Soul, Will Take Charge, Giant Finish, Midnight Taboo, Freedom Child, and Frac Daddy.

Jockey Mike Smith guided Palace Malice to the perfect trip on Saturday for just the colt's second win in seven starts. This after an unflattering twelfth in the Kentucky Derby last time out. Palace Malice, who skipped the Preakness, covered the 1-1/2 miles in a slow 2:30.70 on a fast track following a 24-hour downpour. For the second time during this Triple Crown run, Pletcher sent out five horses and was finally rewarded Saturday. Pletcher's other Belmont starters were Revolutionary, Unlimited Budget, Overanalyze and Midnight Taboo.

The 14-horse field - the largest since 1996 got off to an even start. Frac Daddy and Freedom Child set out for the lead from their inside posts, with Oxbow not far behind. As the field came out of the turn, Oxbow had the lead heading into the long backstretch run. But unlike the Preakness, he had company up front and the pace was a bit quicker. By the time Oxbow reached the far turn, Palace Malice loomed and Orb was beginning to make a run from way back in the pack.

And that's when Palace Malice took charge. The only question was whether anyone was going to catch him. Unlike the Derby, Orb could not complete a come from behind victory. He couldn't even reel in the tiring Oxbow. All three Triple Crown winners from 2013 would place in the money in the Belmont Stakes - Palace Malice in first, Oxbow in second and Orb in third.

Of note Rosie Napravnik, aboard Unlimited Budget, became the first female to ride in all three Triple Crown races in the same year. She was trying to become the second female jockey to win a Triple Crown race.

So this concludes another Triple Crown season that started with an optimistic tone as Orb looked like a legitimate threat to win all three jewels. But for the fourth time in five years each race was won by a different horse. I`ll Have Another came very close last year to claiming all three jewels before injury took him off the Triple Crown trail - he was the closest to a Triple Crown winner that we`ve seen in quite some time. Next year promises a ton more intrigue. The Prep races start in the fall - stay tuned to OffTrackBetting.com for coverage of all those races and updates on who could be on the radar for next year`s version of the Triple Crown.

Belmont Stakes Race Results & Payouts

Times In 100ths: :23.11 :46.66 1:10.95 1:36.47 2:03.12 2:30.70
Winning Trainer: Pletcher Todd | Owner: Dogwood Stable

Unplaced Horses Listed In Order Of Finish.
Also Ran: Incognito, Revolutionary, Unlimited Budget, Overanalyze, Vyjack, Golden Soul, Will Take Charge, Giant Finish, Midnight Taboo, Freedom Child And Frac Daddy
$2 Exacta (12-7) Paid: $323.50, $2 Trifecta (12-7-5) Paid: $931.00, $2 Superfecta (12-7-5-6) Paid: $20,602.00, $2 Daily Double (1-12) Paid: $36.20 Daily Double Pool $806,242.00 , $2 Daily Double (BROOKLYN-BELMONT 4-12) Paid: $242.00 Daily Double Pool $755,681.00 , $2 Pick 3 (7-1-12) 3 Correct Paid: $375.00 Pick 3 Pool $679,185.00 , $2 Pick 4 (2-7-1/2/10-12) 4 Correct Paid: $1,788.00 Pick 4 Pool $2,918,807.00 , $2 Pick 6 (2-1/3-2-7-1/2/10-12) 5 Correct Paid: $57.50 Pick 6 Pool , $2 Pick 6 (2-1/3-2-7-1/2/10-12) 6 Correct Paid: $6,345.00 Pick 6 Pool $1,203,178.00