The Filly Who Rewrote The Belmont History Record 102 Years Old - Rags To Riches

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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Little did her connections know that the filly known as what she was; would actually bring great fame and open new doors of opportunity for all those who rode her, trained her and became an integral part of her family. Rags to Riches as she came to be known, rewrote history with her victory at the Belmont, in a field full with males, the stronger gender of species, exponentially raising her odds when she stumbled, but a determined Rags rose herself to Riches in a gruelling run to the wire making her mark as one of the most influential fillies on the American race tracks.

Offspring to the 1992 American Horse of the Year sire A.P.Indy and the dam Better Than Honour by Deputy Minister, twice North American Champion sire and Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, Rags to Rices was born on February 27th, 2004. The winter foal inherited much of her racing style from her grand sire Seattle Slew and dam grand sire Secretariat. Her endurance for greater distances and a weaker performance at shorter lengths made her more of a grinding runner than a sprinter. Foaled at the Skara Glen Stables, Rags to Riches was trained by Todd Pletcher ...
... and was ridden mostly by Garret Gomez until her astounding Belmont win with jockey John Velasquez aboard.

The American thoroughbred filly racehorse made her maiden break with a 4 ½ furlong distance. Her connections were just starting to discover the filly’s racing pattern and endurance capabilities. Rags dropped to a fourth finish exhibiting the need for greater lengths to gear up to greater speeds. Todd kept her off thetracks till her sophomore maiden at the Santa Anita Park. Rags to Riches won by six lengths having already set her foot in as a promising new young three year old filly.

Las Virgines Stakes was up for grabs for her next start. Having glided to victory there again, Rags now headed for her first Graded stakes. She won the one mile distance at the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks with 5 ½ lengths making her an instant favourite for the Kentucky Derby Oaks. She went on to win the Oaks too by a lead of 4 ¼ lengths; here she was up against U.S. Two Year Old Champion Filly, Dreaming of Anna, but Rags was determined to hit the wire, she comfortably kept the champ filly at safe distance and coasted away to victory powerfully.

Rags connections knew she needed distance to gain momentum and accelerate. Belmont Stakes, the longest leg of the Triple Crown became her next pit stop. Apart from being her first start against a field full with male race horses, this was also her chance to break or equal a 102 years old record last set by Tanya in 1905. Tanya was the first ever filly to run and accomplish the Belmont Stakes at its current distance of 1 ½ miles, the record stood untouched till date.

What started as a slight stumble right when coming out of the gates possibly manifested into her driving force to get the race; she stormed right past three of the trailing horses to join the pacesetters. Soon she was caught in a leading duel with Preakness Stakes winner and American Horse of the Year, Curlin. Rags beat him by a neck ending the duel with one final gush of thrust. It was more than a century later that a filly had accomplished the Belmont Stakes feat.

Rags to Riches raced one more time before she retired due to hairline fractures in her right front pastern. The Gazelle Stakes at Belmont was the last finish by the horse and also one still in the money. Rags finished second and never raced again. She was the Teen Choice for Choice Female Athlete and also the World Champion 3 year old filly.

Rags to Riches ended her racing career with $1.3 million in earnings. She can now be raced through her exciting simulations in fine 3D on the racing game downloads offered by horseracegame.com. The games allow players to breed, train, participate, and also bet on their favourite contenders. Additional messaging boards helps players keep in touch with fellow players and teammates and also win real prizes.