What could stop him? All indications were that he was the best colt of his generation. Sure, he had lost the Juvenile, but wouldn't he have won with a better trip? He had already proven himself at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park, where two of the three Triple Crown legs are held. His trainer, Michael Matz, had already won a Derby with Barbaro in 2006.
If there was anything that could stop Union Rags from achieving the near-impossible, it was his pedigree. His sire, Dixie Union, had distance limitations, and he tended to pass them on to his progeny. Furthermore, the female side of Union Rags' pedigree -- while fairly strong -- didn't scream distance either. Ten furlongs appeared to be the limit as to how far his pedigree could carry him. It would be enough to win the Derby and the Preakness, but what about the Belmont Stakes? The twelve-furlong distance of the "Test of Champions" had stopped more than one colt's bid to sweep the Triple Crown, and if Union Rags made it to Belmont Park with a shot at the crown, it was very possible that his pedigree would catch up with him in those final two furlongs.
In addition, Union Rags would have to overcome the seemingly silly obstacle of having proven himself as a juvenile. While all logic states that a talented two-year-old should be an equally talented three-year-old, this is rarely the case. It is a fact that since the inception of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 1984, only one horse has ever won the Juvenile and come back the next year to win the Derby. Known by the imaginative name of "The Juvenile/Derby Curse", you'll need all of your fingers, and probably some toes as well, to count the number of promising two-year-olds that failed to impress as three-year-olds. True, Union Rags didn't win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. But simply being a top-class two-year-old could be considered a detriment rather than a virtue heading into the Triple Crown.
But pedigree and curses aside, Union Rags entered the winter of 2012 as the best chance to sweep the Triple Crown since, well, Uncle Mo in 2011. He bolstered those beliefs in his first start of the year, overwhelming moderate competition to win the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) in unbelievably easy fashion. It became clear that this was no ordinary horse. Here was a horse with the brilliance of Count Fleet and Seattle Slew. Here was a horse with the power of Secretariat and Citation. Here was a horse who deserved to win the Triple Crown.
Pedigree? Forget it! Sure, some -- such as myself -- tried to stand strong in the face of the colt's vast legions of fans and proclaim that he lacked the necessary pedigree to win the Belmont Stakes. "Even if he does win the Derby and the Preakness, his pedigree may catch up to him in the Belmont!" But these misgivings were eventually thrown out the door in favor of a more sensible approach -- jumping on the bandwagon and declaring him a budding superstar, which I gladly did in the days following the Fountain of Youth.
Unfortunately, horse racing is horse racing, and horse racing rarely, if ever, complies with the dreams of enthusiastic horse racing fans and their desire to see a Triple Crown winner. Instead, reality set back in, and the cries of "Superhorse!" were rudely quenched in about a minute and forty-eight seconds -- or roughly the amount of time it took Take Charge Indy and Reveron to hand Union Rags defeat in the Florida Derby (gr. I). Some Union Rags fans, myself included, tried to make excuses for the colt, citing an "awful trip" and "jockey tactics" as reasons for his defeat.
Six days later, a horse by the name of I'll Have Another won the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), his second graded stakes race of the year. He would be heading to Churchill Downs with arguably stronger credentials than Union Rags, but unlike Union Rags, I'll Have Another had never had a vast legion of fans behind him shouting "Superhorse!" -- and this fact alone would make Union Rags among the favorites in Louisville, whereas I'll Have Another would be sent off as the tenth choice in a field of twenty.
A recap of what happened in Kentucky is not necessary, for that story has been documented thoroughly elsewhere. Suffice to say, Union Rags receieved a trip that made his "awful trip" in Florida seem like a dream trip. While I'll Have Another rallied to victory under the Twin Spires, earning not only the blanket of roses but numerous accolades as well, Union Rags wound up finishing seventh while never threatening for the victory.
Just like that, the excitement surrounding Union Rags was gone. One defeat could be excused, but two? Secretariat never lost two in a row. Seattle Slew sure didn't. Maybe Union Rags wasn't a superhorse after all.
Despite these setbacks, the connections of Union Rags did not lose hope. They knew that their colt was something special, and they knew that he hadn't gotten a chance to prove it in his last two starts. So while it was probably tempting to try and bring the colt back two weeks after the Derby for a run at the Preakness Stakes -- and a rematch with I'll Have Another -- they chose instead to bide their time and await the Belmont Stakes. Yes, the Belmont Stakes. The very race that Union Rags supposedly lacked the stamina to win.
In the absence of Union Rags -- or possibly despite, we'll never know -- I'll Have Another backed up his Derby victory by winning the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Just like that, the cries of "superhorse" resurfaced. Only this time, they were cheering for I'll Have Another, the colt who clearly had what it took to win the Triple Crown. Here was a horse with the brilliance of Count Fleet and Seattle Slew. Here was a horse with the power of Secretariat and Citation. Here was a horse that deserved to win the Triple Crown.
But wait a second -- what was I saying just a few minutes ago? Oh yes -- "Horse racing is horse racing, and horse racing rarely if ever complies with the dreams of enthusiastic horse racing fans and their desire to see a Triple Crown winner." In a moment of cruel irony, this scenario played out once again. On Friday morning, the day before the Belmont Stakes, it was announced that I'll Have Another was suffering from the beginning of tendonitis in his left front leg.
His career was over.
But as they old saying goes, "The show must go on." And so on Saturday afternoon, eleven three-year-olds made their way to the Belmont Park starting gate to contest the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes. As they paraded past the stands, their brightly-colored saddleclothes shining cheerfully, you could almost make believe that you were watching a happy race full of happy horses at a happy track full of happy fans. Unfortunately, the absence of number eleven from the post parade was a glaring reminder of what might have been, yet never would be.
Eerily, the same could be said of one other saddlecloth as well, except that this particular piece of fabric was actually on top of a horse's back and making its way to the starting gate, unlike the unfortunate number eleven. This saddlecloth displayed boldly the number three, and below that, the name Union Rags. Surely, those who saw it go by had to marvel at the horse underneath it. At the start of the year, it was he who was the superhorse. It was he who was destined to win the Triple Crown. At this very moment, weren't we supposed to be screaming "Superhorse!" at the top of our lungs as he paraded his way toward history?
The answer is yes. If everything had gone according to plan, we were to be cheering Union Rags in his bid to win the Triple Crown. But those dreams went wrong. He was not a superhorse. Hadn't he proven it? Wasn't it clear that he was nothing more than the latest version of Chief's Crown, Devil's Bag, and War Pass; a juvenile star that had failed to progress as a three-year-old? Wasn't it clear? Wasn't it obvious? Sure, the colt still had some dedicated fans who believed he was super; believed him worthy of being a Triple Crown winner; believed he was something more than another racing disappointment. But hadn't the time come to let go of those dreams? Horse racing is horse racing, and horse racing rarely, if ever, complies with the dreams of the fans!
Rarely, true. But after a Triple Crown filled with disappointment, it was finally time for dreams to come true.
The record books will show that on June 9th, 2012, a horse named Union Rags won the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes. The record books will also show that he rallied through an impossibly small opening along the rail to win by a neck in the final strides. But what the record books can never reveal is that on a day when racing needed a star the most, Union Rags came through like only a superhorse can and gave racing fans everywhere a reason to celebrate. Here was a horse with the brilliance to overcome adversity. Here was a horse with the power to run a distance few believed he could handle.
Here was a horse who deserved to win the Belmont. And here was our happy ending.
***
The Triple Crown may be over for the year, but there is plenty to look forward to during the second half of 2012. We've got some very talented older males this year, and some exceptional fillies and mares. Plus, it will be fun to see how Union Rags, Bodemeister, Paynter, Dullahan, Creative Cause, and others perform during the remainder of the year.
Here are the results of all the major races from this year's Triple Crown trail:
| Date | Race Name | Track | Distance | Purse | First | Second | Third |
| January 7th | Sham Stakes (gr. III) | Santa Anita | 8 Furlongs | $100,000 | Out of Bounds | Secret Circle | Longview Drive |
| January 7th | Count Fleet Stakes | Aqueduct | 8.32 Furlongs | $150,000 | Alpha | Stephanoatsee | Il Villano |
| January 14th | California Derby | Golden Gate Fields | 8.5 Furlongs | $100,000 | Russian Greek | Cahill Chrome | Senor Rain |
| January 16th | Smarty Jones Stakes | Oaklawn Park | 8 Furlongs | $100,000 | Junebugred | Reckless Jerry | On Fire Baby |
| January 21st | LeComte Stakes (gr. III) | Fair Grounds | 8.32 Furlongs | $175,000 | Mr. Bowling | Z Dager | Shared Property |
| January 22nd | San Pedro Stakes | Santa Anita | 6.5 Furlongs | $65,000 | Midnight Transfer | Got Even | Let's Get Crackin |
| January 29th | Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) | Gulfstream Park | 8 Furlongs | $400,000 | Algorithms | Hansen | My Adonis |
| February 4th | Withers Stakes (gr. III) | Aqueduct | 8.5 Furlongs | $200,000 | Alpha | Speightscity | Tiger Walk |
| February 4th | Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) | Santa Anita | 8.5 Furlongs | $200,000 | I'll Have Another | Empire Way | Rousing Sermon |
| February 4th | Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) | Tampa Bay Downs | 8.5 Furlongs | $200,000 | Battle Hardened | Prospective | Reveron |
| February 11th | Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) | Gulfstream Park | 7 Furlongs | $150,000 | Thunder Moccasin | Il Villano | Quick Wit |
| February 18th | El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) | Golden Gate Fields | 9 Furlongs | $200,000 | Daddy Nose Best | Lucky Chappy | Handsome Mike |
| February 19th | San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) | Santa Anita | 7 Furlongs | $150,000 | Drill | American Act | Creative Cause |
| February 20th | Southwest Stakes Division #1 (gr. III) | Oaklawn Park | 8 Furlongs | $250,000 | Castaway | Jake Mo | Reckless Jerry |
| February 20th | Southwest Stakes Division #2 (gr. III) | Oaklawn Park | 8 Furlongs | $250,000 | Secret Circle | Scatman | Adirondack King |
| February 25th | Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) | Fair Grounds | 8.5 Furlongs | $300,000 | El Padrino | Mark Valeski | Z Dager |
| February 25th | Borderland Derby | Sunland Park | 8.5 Furlongs | $150,000 | Isn't He Clever | Zackn'mat | Major Hope |
| February 26th | Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) | Gulfstream Park | 8.5 Furlongs | $400,000 | Union Rags | News Pending | Discreet Dancer |
| March 3rd | Gotham Stakes (gr. III) | Aqueduct | 8.5 Furlongs | $400,000 | Hansen | My Adonis | Finnegans Wake |
| March 3rd | John Battaglia Memorial Stakes | Turfway Park | 8.5 Furlongs | $100,000 | State of Play | Ill Conceived | Dynamical |
| March 10th | Swale Stakes (gr. III) | Gulfstream Park | 7 Furlongs | $150,000 | Trinniberg | Hello Prince | Ever So Lucky |
| March 10th | San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) | Santa Anita | 8.5 Furlongs | $300,000 | Creative Cause | Bodemeister | Midnight Transfer |
| March 10th | Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) | Tampa Bay Downs | 8.5 Furlongs | $350,000 | Prospective | Golden Ticket | Cozzetti |
| March 11th | Palm Beach Stakes (gr. III) | Gulfstream Park | 9 Furlongs (turf) | $150,000 | Howe Great | Dullahan | Csaba |
| March 17th | Rebel Stakes (gr. II) | Oaklawn Park | 8.5 Furlongs | $500,000 | Secret Circle | Optimizer | Scatman |
| March 24th | Vinery Spiral Stakes (gr. III) | Turfway Park | 9 Furlongs | $500,000 | Went the Day Well | Holiday Promise | Heavy Breathing |
| March 25th | Sunland Derby (gr. III) | Sunland Park | 9 Furlongs | $800,000 | Daddy Nose Best | Isn't He Perfect | Stirred Up |
| March 31st | Florida Derby (gr. I) | Gulfstream Park | 9 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | Take Charge Indy | Reveron | Union Rags |
| April 1st | Louisiana Derby (gr. II) | Fair Grounds | 9 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | Hero of Order | Mark Valeski | Rousing Sermon |
| April 7th | Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) | Aqueduct | 9 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | Gemologist | Alpha | Teeth of the Dog |
| April 7th | Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III) | Aqueduct | 7 Furlongs | $250,000 | Trinniberg | Hardened Wildcat | How Do I Win |
| April 7th | Illinois Derby (gr. III) | Hawthorne | 9 Furlongs | $500,000 | Done Talking | Morgan's Guerrilla | Hakama |
| April 7th | Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) | Santa Anita | 9 Furlongs | $750,000 | I'll Have Another | Creative Cause | Blueskies nrainbows |
| April 14th | Arkansas Derby (gr. I) | Oaklawn Park | 9 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | Bodemeister | Secret Circle | Sabercat |
| April 14th | Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) | Keeneland | 9 Furlongs | $750,000 | Dullahan | Hansen | Gung Ho |
| April 21st | Jerome Stakes (gr. II) | Aqueduct | 8 Furlongs | $200,000 | The Lumber Guy | Brigand | Stirred Up |
| April 21st | Lexington Stakes (gr. III) | Keeneland | 8.5 Furlongs | $200,000 | All Squared Away | Summer Front | Hammers Terror |
| April 28th | The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III) | Churchill Downs | 8 Furlongs | $200,000 | Hierro | Paynter | Stealcase |
| May 5th | Kentucky Derby (gr. I) | Churchill Downs | 10 Furlongs | $2,000,000 | I'll Have Another | Bodemeister | Dullahan |
| May 12th | Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) | Belmont Park | 9 Furlongs | $200,000 | Mark Valeski | Right to Vote | Street Life |
| May 19th | Preakness Stakes (gr. I) | Pimlico | 9.5 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | I'll Have Another | Bodemeister | Creative Cause |
| June 9th | Belmont Stakes (gr. I) | Belmont Park | 12 Furlongs | $1,000,000 | Union Rags | Paynter | Atigun |
Furthermore, here are some quick thoughts on every three-year-old colt to have won a graded stakes race this year, focusing mainly on which races they are being pointed too and whether or not they are sound.
Algorithms [Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III)]: He was sidelined with an injury just before a scheduled start in the Fountain of Youth, but is expected to return to training later this year.
All Squared Away [Lexington Stakes (gr. III)]: Following a fifth-place finish in the Marine Stakes at Woodbine, he was returned to the barn of Peter Miller, where he has turned in a trio of workouts at Hollywood Park. It is unknown where he will race next.
Alpha: [Withers Stakes (gr. III), Count Fleet Stakes] He was scheduled to race in the Belmont Stakes, but came down with a fever and was not entered. However, he is expected to return to the races before too long.
Bodemeister [Arkansas Derby (gr. I)] Derby/Preakness runner-up is being pointed toward the Haskell Invitational (gr. I).
Castaway [Southwest Stakes (gr. III) 1st division]: He looked like a good one after winning the Southwest Stakes, but he subsequently disappointed in the Sunland Derby and Lexington Stakes. He hasn't breezed since then, so it's possible that he has suffered some sort of an injury.
Battle Hardened [Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. II)] I never heard of a specific injury, but he hasn't breezed since the Tampa Bay Derby.
Creative Cause [San Felipe Stakes (gr. II)]: After so-so efforts in the Derby and the Preakness, this son of Giant's Causeway is expected to try the turf during the Del Mar meet.
Daddy Nose Best [Sunland Derby (gr. II) and El Camino Real Derby (gr. III)] Disappointing efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness made it clear that, for the moment, he isn't quite up to facing the best of the crop. He's breezed twice since the Preakness, so he clearly came out of the races none the worse for wear. I would think that races like the Ohio Derby (gr. II) or the Iowa Derby (gr. II) could be on the radar.
Done Talking [Illinois Derby (gr. III)]: Could only manage a fourteenth-place finish in the Derby, and then failed in a turf experiment in the James W. Murphy Stakes. Like Daddy Nose Best, races like the Ohio Derby could be good spots for him.
Drill [San Vicente Stakes (gr. III), Lazaro Barrera Stakes (gr. III)]: It's become clear that he is best around one turn, and in sprints, so don't be surprised if he turns up in the King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, or even against older horses races like the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I).
Dullahan [Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I)]: His seventh-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) would seem to imply that he is simply better on turf and synthetics than on dirt. Trainer Dale Romans expects he will return to the grass or synthetic in his next start, although what race that would be has yet to be determined.
El Padrino [Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)]: After poor efforts in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby, he is being given some time off, and is not expected to return until the fall.
Gemologist [Wood Memorial Stake (gr. I)]: He was given a brief break after coming out of the Derby with a foot bruise, but is already back in training and is tentatively pointing toward the Haskell.
Hansen [Gotham Stakes (gr. III)]: He missed the Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) following a mild illness. I seem to recall hearing that the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) was on the radar, but I can't confirm this.
Hero of Order [Louisiana Derby (gr. II)]: He's finished off-the-board in three straight races following the Louisiana Derby. It's unknown where he will race next, but it seems that he's best at Fair Grounds, and may not return to his best form until that meet begins at the end of the year.
Hierro [Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III)]: After finishing off-the-board in the Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II), it's difficult to say where this colt will turn up next. He seems to be at his best at Churchill Downs.
Howe Great [Palm Beach Stakes (gr. II)]: He's 3-for-4 on turf, and is scheduled to race tomorrow in the Hill Prince Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park. He looks like one of the better turf three-year-olds in the country, and could be a legitimate contenders for races like the Secretariat Stakes (gr. I).
I'll Have Another: [Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II)] Unfortunately, he was injured prior to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and was unable to try to win the Triple Crown. He was subsequently retired.
Mark Valeski: [Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II)] He was taken out of training following the Peter Pan to deal with an ankle chip, and is unlikely to race again until the Fair Grounds meet.
Mr. Bowling [LeComte Stakes (gr. III)]: After finishing twelfth of thirteen in the Louisiana Derby, he went to the sidelines with an indisclosed issue. He hasn't breezed since then.
Nonios [Affirmed Handicap (gr. III)]: He secured a breakthrough victory last time out in the Affirmed Handicap, holding off the talented Liaison to earn his first stakes victory. He's breezed twice since then, including a sharp five furlongs in 1:00 flat on June 16th. I expect we'll see him in the Swaps Stakes (gr. II) next time out.
Out of Bounds [Sham Stakes (gr. III)]: He looked like one of the better colts of the crop after his solid victory in the Sham Stakes, but was unable to further solidify that status after suffering an injury prior to the San Felipe Stakes. He is expected to return to the races, however.
Prospective [Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II)]: He rebounded from an eighteenth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby with a solid victory in the Victoria Park Stakes at Woodbine. He is expected to return to the United State for a start on dirt next time out.
Secret Circle [Southwest Stakes (gr. III) 2nd division and Rebel Stakes (gr. II)]: He came out of his second-place finish in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) with a leg injury and hasn't breezed since then. It's difficult to say for sure when he will return, but I would think that he will be back in training later this year.
Silver Max [American Turf Stakes (gr. II)]: He's almost undoubtedly the best three-year-old turf horse in the country, having won five straight grass races, including the Oliver Stakes on June 13th. Races like the Secretariat Stakes (gr. I) could be a good fit for this ultra-talented front-runner.
Take Charge Indy [Florida Derby (gr. I)]: After finishing a distant nineteenth in the Kentucky Derby, it was clear that something must have gone wrong. That something was an ankle chip. He is expected to return to the races later this fall.
The Lumber Guy [Jerome Stakes (gr. III)]: He hasn't turned in a workout since finishing sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes. I don't recall hearing of a specific injury; I think he's merely receiving a break.
Thunder Moccasin [Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II)]: He went to the sidelines after winning the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II), and hasn't turned in a workout in months. My best guess is that he suffered some sort of a minor injury and is receiving some time off.
Trinniberg [Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II), Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III), Swale Stakes (gr. III)]: He's probably the best three-year-old sprinter in the country right now, and the long-term goal is the King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) in August. The Carry Back Stakes (gr. III) at Calder, his home track, could be logical for his next start.
Union Rags [Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II): He finally proved himself in a major, major race by taking the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in game fashion. The Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) or Haskell Invitational (gr. I) will be his next start, followed by the Travers Stakes (gr. I).
Went the Day Well [Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III)]: He looked like a budding star when he rallied from far behind to finish fourth in the Kentucky Derby, but a subsequent tenth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes has left everyone wondering what to think of him. He hasn't breezed since the Preakness, but I expect that he is just receiving some time off.
***
For the record, here are the results of the 2012 Triple Crown Handicapping Contest between J.R. and I. Unlike last year, in which the contest was extremely tight all the way down to the finish, I ended up with more than twice as many points as J.R., in addition to picking 31 winners to his 12. But J.R. is confident he'll beat me next year. We'll see. :)
Current Standings
Keelerman: 465 points
J.R.: 210 points
Past Results
Sham Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Secret Circle, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Out of Bounds, who finished 1st.
Count Fleet Stakes
Keelerman picked Alpha, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Stephanoatsee, who finished 2nd.
California Derby
Keelerman picked Russian Greek, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Senor Rain, who finished 3rd.
Smarty Jones Stakes
Keelerman picked On Fire Baby, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked Optimizer, who finished 6th.
LeComte Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Mr. Bowling, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Z Dager, who finished 2nd.
San Pedro Stakes
Keelerman picked Midnight Transfer, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Got Even, who finished 2nd.
Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Hansen, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Consortium, who finished 6th.
Withers Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Alpha, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Tiger Walk, who finished 3rd.
Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Prospective, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Neck 'n Neck, who finished 5th.
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Sky Kingdom, who finished 5th.
J.R. picked Isn't He Perfect, who finished 4th.
Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Thunder Moccasin, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Quick Wit, who finished 3rd.
El Camino Real Derby (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Handsome Mike, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked Lucky Chappy, who finished 2nd.
San Vicente Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Creative Cause, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked American Act, who finished 2nd.
Southwest Stakes Division #1 (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Junebugred, who finished 6th.
J.R. picked Reckless Jerry, who finished 3rd.
Southwest Stakes Division #2 (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Cyber Secret, who finished 5th.
J.R. picked Apprehender, who finished 9th.
Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked El Padrino, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Optimizer, who finished 9th.
Borderland Derby
Keelerman picked Isn't He Clever, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Zackn'mat, who finished 2nd.
Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Discreet Dancer, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked Discreet Dancer, who finished 3rd.
Gotham Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Hansen, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Stealcase, who finished 6th.
San Felipe Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Creative Cause, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Liaison, who finished 4th.
Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Golden Ticket, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Cajun Charlie, who finished 10th.
Swale Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Good Morning Diva, who finished 5th.
J.R. picked Seve, who finished 9th.
Palm Beach Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Howe Great, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Howe Great, who finished 1st.
Rebel Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Adirondack King, who finished 7th.
J.R. picked Cyber Secret, who finished 5th.
Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Handsome Mike, who finished 4th.
J.R. picked Stealcase, who finished 5th.
Sunland Park Oaks
Keelerman picked Princess Arabella, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Princess Arabella, who finished 1st.
Sunland Derby (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Castaway, who finished 7th.
J.R. picked Stirred Up, who finished 3rd.
Florida Derby (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Union Rags, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked El Padrino, who finished 4th.
UAE Derby (UAE-II)
Keelerman picked Daddy Long Legs, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Mickdaam, who finished 4th.
Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Reneesgotzip, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Willa B Awesome, who finished 1st.
Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Grace Hall, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Zo Impressive, who finished 2nd.
Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Believe You Can, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Believe You Can, who finished 1st.
Louisiana Derby (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Mark Valeski, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Finnegans Wake, who finished 10th.
Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Gemologist, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked My Adonis, who finished 7th.
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Creative Cause, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked I'll Have Another, who finished 1st.
Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Trinniberg, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Hardened Wildcat, who finished 2nd.
Comely Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Broadway's Alibi, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Broadway's Alibi, who finishd 1st.
Ashland Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Stephanie's Kitten, who finished 3rd.
J.R. picked Heart of Destiny, who finished 4th.
Arkansas Derby (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Bodemeister, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Optimizer, who finished 9th.
Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Dullahan, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Midnight Crooner, who finished 8th.
Lexington Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Johannesbourbon, who finished 7th.
J.R. picked Gold Megillah, who finished 4th.
Jerome Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked The Lumber Guy, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Adirondack King, who finished 5th.
The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Paynter, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Hierro, who finished 1st.
Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Contested, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Good Deed, who finished 2nd.
Edgewood Stakes
Keelerman picked Stephanie's Kitten, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Stephanie's Kitten, who finished 1st.
American Turf Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Star Channel, who DNF.
J.R. picked Travel Advisory, who finished 2nd.
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Jemima's Pearl, who finished 10th.
J.R. picked Hard Not to Like, who finished 6th.
Kentucky Derby (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Bodemeister, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Alpha, who finished 12th.
Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Mark Valeski, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Master Rick, who finished 9th.
Lazaro Barrera Stakes (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Drill, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked American Act, who finished 2nd.
Miss Preakness Stakes
Keelerman picked Agave Kiss, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Millionreasonswhy, who finished 2nd.
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Mamma Kimbo, who finished 4th.
J.R. picked Welcome Guest, who finished 6th.
James W. Murphy Stakes
Keelerman picked Easy Crossing, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Skyring, who finished 1st.
Preakness Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked I'll Have Another, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Went the Day Well, who finished 10th.
Arlington Classic Stakes
Keelerman picked Silver Max, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Najjaar, who finished 3rd.
Acorn Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Contested, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Contested, who finished 1st.
Affirmed Handicap (gr. III)
Keelerman picked Liaison, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Nonios, who finished 1st.
Easy Goer Stakes
Keelerman picked Teeth of the Dog, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Politicallycorrect, who finished 3rd.
Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II)
Keelerman picked Trinniberg, who finished 1st.
J.R. picked Currency Swap, who finished 2nd.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I)
Keelerman picked Paynter, who finished 2nd.
J.R. picked Dullahan, who finished 7th.
Complete 2012 Results
| Handicapper | # of races handicapped | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds |
| Keelerman | 60 | 31 | 12 | 6 |
| J.R. | 60 | 12 | 13 | 8 |
***
All told, it was a terrific Triple Crown season. Unlike the last few years, in which injuries and upsets plagued the series from start to finish, the majority of the stars from the beginning of the season were still around and racing at the finish.
To me, it was one of the most memorable Triple Crowns in recent years, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the year turns out. On to the Breeders' Cup!
-Keelerman
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