2008 Belmont Stakes

140th Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
"The Test of the Champion"
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, U.S.
DateJune 7, 2008
Distance1+1⁄2 mi (12 furlongs; 2,414 m)
Winning horseDa'Tara
Winning time2:29.65
Final odds38.50 (to 1)
JockeyAlan Garcia
TrainerNick Zito
OwnerRobert LaPenta
ConditionsFast
SurfaceDirt
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The 2008 Belmont Stakes was the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. The race was won by Da'Tara, who led the race wire to wire.[1] Da'Tara went off at 38–1 odds, making the win a monumental upset.[2] Entrants included the favorite, winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Big Brown,[3] but he eased on last place, a first for any Triple Crown hopeful. A win by Big Brown would have marked the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Other entrants were Derby runners Denis of Cork, Tale of Ekati, and Anak Nakal; Preakness runner up Macho Again and third-place finisher Icabad Crane; and Peter Pan runner, Ready's Echo.[4][5] The sire of Anak Nakal, Victory Gallop, is a Belmont winner, while Casino Drive has two Belmont-winning siblings.

Casino Drive was scratched from the race the morning of the race with an injured hoof.[6] He was the Peter Pan Stakes winner,[7][8] and the half brother of 2007 Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches and 2006 Belmont Stakes winner Jazil. A win by Casino Drive would have been the first time that siblings have won the same Triple Crown race in three consecutive years. Kent Desormeaux, the regular jockey for both Big Brown and Casino Drive, rode Big Brown while two-time Belmont winner Edgar Prado had been scheduled to ride Casino Drive.[9]

The race was seen before 94,476 fans.[10]

  1. ^ Big Brown finishes last in Belmont - Horse Racing - Yahoo! Sports
  2. ^ New York Racing Association – Belmont Park Archived 2012-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ The Associated Press: Big Brown wins Preakness, sets up Triple Crown try Archived May 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Crack showing in Crown pursuit? - Page 1 - Times Union - Albany NY". Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  5. ^ "FOX Sports on MSN - Horseracing". Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  6. ^ Big Brown rival Casino Drive scratched after workout. Associated Press. June 7, 2008.
  7. ^ "Casino Drive Waits for Belmont | bloodhorse.com". Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
  8. ^ ESPN – Casino Drive spices up Belmont Stakes picture – Horse Racing
  9. ^ "Prado to Ride Casino Drive in Belmont | bloodhorse.com". Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  10. ^ Da' Tara romps at Belmont; Triple Crown fave Big Brown is dead last. Associated Press. June 7, 2008.