The 2012 Belmont Stakes didn't produce the type of excitement everyone anticipated it would when I'll Have Another won the Preakness, setting up the possibility of horse racing's first Triple Crown since Affirmed did so in 1978. However; despite the Triple Crown narrative, the 2012 Belmont certainly did not lack excitement.
Paynter, a 7/2 favorite to begin the day, led for the majority of the mile and a half race, before Union Rags, a 3/1 favorite, seized the lead in the final hundred yards, as the horses ran side-by-side. Union Rags was able to outlast Paynter, resulting in a photo finish. Atigun finished third
Below is a picture of the photo finish:
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