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A group of enthusiastic fans express their support of Real Quiet before the race, amongst the second largest crowd (80,162) in Belmont history. |
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No matter where he walks... the earth shakes. Richter Scale parades in the paddock before his big win in the True North Handicap on Belmont Stakes day. |
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Coronado's Quest, with Mike Smith aboard, has his mind set on running as he bolts quickly through the paddock before the start of the Riva Ridge. Click on the link to see the huge crowd and the statue of Secretariat in the lovely Belmont paddock. |
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A close-up of the more relaxed Coronado's Quest after the race. Click the link below the picture to see the full shot of Coronado's Quest and Mike Smith after the win in the Riva Ridge on Belmont day. |
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Returning to his winning form from last year's Breeders' Cup Turf, Chief Bearhart captured the premier turf race of the day, The Manhattan, in dramatic come-from-behind fashion. Here he is shown in the paddock before the race. |
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Real Quiet |
Both Kent Desormeaux and Real Quiet appear to have their minds on business as they prepare to go to the track for the 130th running of the Belmont Stakes with The Triple Crown hanging in the balance. |
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Victory Gallop is a little bit dirty, but a bath will
fix that up! Lost among the hype of the monster PR machine of The Triple Crown, Victory Gallop, the beautiful son of Cryptoclearance, proved that he was not to be ignored, providing one of the most thrilling and dramatic finishes in the history of the Belmont Stakes. |
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"The Thrill of Victory...?" A picture tells a thousand words. The winning jockey of the Belmont Stakes felt mixed feelings afterward. He was elated that he won the race for himself, the Prestons and Elliott Walden; but was immediately reminded of his loss last year on Silver Charm. Gary later stated that he knew how Kent Desormeaux was feeling... and truly, Gary Stevens is one of only a few jockeys who could make such a statement. All the connections of Victory Gallop showed great sportsmanship through the entire series of Triple Crown races. |
All photos © L. A. Williams