Jazil Wins 2006 Belmont Stakes
Teenage jockey Fernando Jara guided Jazil to victory in the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park despite a major mishap at the start of the 1 1/2-mile final leg of the Triple Crown thoroughbred racing of America.
The 18-year-old lost an iron when the gates opened and his foot brushed the gates, but he placed his foot back in the stirrup before steering the Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum owned colt to a 1 length victory.
Panama-born Jara rode a near perfect race to win in two minutes 27.81 seconds to edge out Bluegrass Cat into second with Sunriver third in the $1 million event.
“I made a move a the right time,” Jara told reporters “It’s amazing. I got clear, he got way and we win. You don’t know how I feel right now. The trainer and the owner believed in me. I thought I had the race won after a mile.”
Jazil, who missed the Preakness Stakes to prepare for the Belmont, worked his way through as the 12-horse field turned for the final run home.
Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Bluegrass Cat and Sunriver, still cannot break into the winner’s circle in Triple Crown events. He is now 0-20 in the big three races and 0-5 in the Belmont.
“If it were anyone besides me, I was rooting for Kiaran,” Pletcher told reporters. “He is one of my best friends, a great person, and I am very, very happy for him. I’m disappointed. There is no consolation in second for me.”
Three weeks ago, Bernadini, owned by Sheikh Hamdan’s brother, Sheikh Mohammed, won the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby, first leg of the Triple Crown, was won by Barbaro, who broke a leg in the Preakness in a career-ending injury.
"Jazil Wins 2006 Belmont Stakes" was posted on 10 June 2006 9:49 PM under Belmont Stakes, Horses, Triple Crown
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