Essential Quality: Kentucky Derby’s underdog makes comeback in Belmont Stakes

Essential Quality, the fan favourite in the Belmont Stakes, gave trainer Brad Cox his first victory in a Triple Crown race on Saturday after being the first to cross the finish line.

Other top spots were filled by Hot Rod Charlie, Rombauer and  Known Agenda.

 Runner-up Hot Rod Charlie was leading the 1.5-mile race but was surpassed by Essential Quality around the final turn. Essential Quality grabbed the $1 million cash prize. 

Essential Quality’s quality performance in the Belmont Stakes served as a comeback from last month’s Kentucky Derby, where it fell short of securing a spot in the top three, reported AFP.

Belmont Stakes race saw the participation of eight horses on Saturday. The final standings were:

1) Essential Quality

2) Hot Rod Charlie

3) Rombauer

4) Known Agenda

5) Bourbonic

6) Rock Your World

7) Overtook

8) France Go De Ina

United Arab Emirates’ leader Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the owner of the Essential Quality.

Essential Quality’s quality performance in the Belmont Stakes served as a comeback from last month’s Kentucky Derby, where it fell short of securing a spot in the top three, reported AFP.