Update: Essential Quality, the favorite, edged out Hot Rod Charlie in a stirring homestretch run in the 153rd Belmont Stakes in the time of 2:27.11. Hot Rod Charlie led most of the way, but Essential Quality caught him to win by a length-and-a-half. Luis Saez was the jockey. His owner, the controversial Sheikh Mohammad al Maktoum through his Godolphin Stables, long a major player in international horse racing, did not get sanctions against Essential Quality for the Kentucky Derby despite human rights abuse sanctions.
Rombauer was third.
Essential Quality was two-year-old champion winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year, among other victories. His sire is Tapit, not surprising given the stallion's dominance and the fact EQ is a gray just like Tapit. His dam is Delightful Quality, sired by Elusive Quality, who sired Smarty Jones.
The race via NBC Sports on YouTube:
Domestic Spending, who wound up in a dead heat with Colonel Liam at Churchill Downs three weeks ago, overtook rivals in the Manhattan Stakes. This was one of the races on the undercard at Belmont.
Essential Quality is the horse to beat today at Belmont. He was the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, won by Medina Spirit, the controversial Bob Baffert trainee. I should say the horse wasn't controversial, but the ointment or medication he was given for a rash caused Baffert to be suspended from Churchill Downs for two years. I am sure it will be fought in the courts like Dancer's Image, should Medina Spirit be disqualified.
Only eight horses are entered this year.
ESSENTIAL QUALITY WINS THE BELMONT STAKES pres. by @NYRABets WITH @luissaezpty FOR @bradcoxracing!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YNb9OHjcVE
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 5, 2021
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