Victorious Filly Races Into History

Rags to Riches Captures Belmont at the Wire
By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 9, 2007 6:28 PM CDT
Victorious Filly Races Into History
Rags to Riches, ridden by John R. Velazquez, left, stumbles coming out of the starting gate at the 139th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. on Saturday, June 9, 2007. Rags to Riches went on to the win the race, the first filly since Tanya won in 1905. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)   (Associated Press)

The cry of "girl power!" echoed throughout stately Belmont Park today as a filly won the Belmont Stakes for the first time in 102 years. Rags to Riches, a half-sister of 2006 winner Jazil, overcame a stumble at the start to outduel favored Curlin by a neck and capture the third jewel of the Triple Crown under John Velazquez.

Rags to Riches returned $10.60 as the 4-1 second choice. Trainer Todd Pletcher, who earned his first victory in a Triple Crown race in his 29th attempt, abandoned his normal reserve to join the crowd in urging her on down the stretch. Rags to Riches, a chestnut daughter of A.P. Indy, carried 121 pounds to her six rivals' 126. (More Rags to Riches stories.)

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