Belmont Stakes Results

Sports

2000 Belmont winner Commendable being led to the winner's circle by his owner Bob Lewis

Dateline: 06/10/00

A decent crowd of over 55,000 braved the 95+ degree heat and high humidity to watch the first Belmont Stakes of the new millenium. Nobody really wanted the lead except Hugh Hefner so the early going was slowed to a crawling 49.29 for the first half mile and 1:39.11 for the mile. Commendable was right behind him in second and took over after the first mile and drew off by as much as 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch. He had enough left in the tank after the slow pace to keep Aptitude a safe 1 1/2 lengths back at the finish when he made his rally from last. Unshaded was also far back early and rallied for third a length behind Aptitude and 6 lengths in from of Wheelaway who ran evenly in fourth.


Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 3   Commendable        Day             39.60   12.80  6.30
 5   Aptitude           Solis                    3.80  2.80
 4   Unshaded           Sellers                        4.40

Winning Time:  2:31.19

$2 Exacta 3-5               213.00
$2 Trifecta 3-5-4          1310.00
$2 Superfecta 12-5-1-9     9315.00

Results Chart

Favorite Aptitude leaving the paddock. His rallying style worked against him in a race devoid of early speed.

Eventual third place finisher Unshaded in the paddock. He didn't handle the scorching heat very well and pulled up after the race in distress with heat stroke. He recovered enough to get up and walk off under his own power.