Creator Edges Destin For Belmont Stakes

The finish was dramatic, even without a Triple Crown on the line. Creator found an opening in the stretch and ran down Destin in the final stride to win the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes by a nose, the closest possible margin of victory. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. pointed to the sky in an appropriate winning salute, given the horse's name. Japan-based Lani was third.

"Today was perfect for us by inches," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who will be inducted into racing's Hall of Fame this summer at Saratoga. "Being the victor of the Belmont Stakes will look good on that plaque."

Asmussen, 50, has won more than 7,300 races, including the Preakness with champions Curlin in 2007 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009. He was taken off the Hall of Fame ballot last year, though, because of allegations made by PETA about the way he treated his horses.

A different horse won each leg of the Triple Crown this year, with Nyquist taking the Kentucky Derby and Exaggerator claiming the Preakness. Last year, American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

This was Creator's day, a hot, sticky one at Belmont Park with temperatures in the mid-80s. Exaggerator, the 7-5 favorite in the field of 13, raced well back in the pack, appeared to make it into contention but just didn't have his usual finishing kick. He was 11th.

A 3-year-old gray colt, Creator came flying down the stretch as Destin tried to hang on to the lead. Destin almost made it but settled for second.

"I'm glad to see him put that number up; they came to the wire together," Asmussen said of the Creator-Destin showdown. "Irad gave him a dream trip. The horse ran super."

Creator returned $34.80 to win, and the winning time for the 1½ miles was 2:28.51. The first three finishers were gray colts.

Governor Malibu was fourth, followed by Stradivari, Brody's Cause, Cherry Wine, Gettysburg, Suddenbreakingnews, Trojan Nation, Exaggerator, Seeking the Soul and Forever d'Oro. -- By ESPN