A sealed, speed-favoring sloppy track and bad racing luck endured by the favorite combined to allow 24-1 longshot Ruler On Ice to claim a stunning victory in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes June 11.
Ruler On Ice is a gelded son of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms’ Roman Ruler out of Champagne Glow (by Saratoga Six). He was bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm and is owned by George and Lori Hall, who purchased Ruler On Ice for $100,000 as a yearling in the 2009 Keeneland September sale.

The race was a disaster for 5-2 favorite Animal Kingdom, who clipped heels after the break and jockey Johnny Velazquez went up over his neck, losing his left stirrup. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, made a bid with three furlongs to run but tired to sixth.

The winner stalked pacesetter and Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford throughout most of the 1 1/2-mile race, which started with a moderate quarter-mile in :23.92 then slowed to a leisurely :49. 08 for the opening half, 1:14.51 for three-quarters, and 1:39.95 for a mile.

Ruler On Ice, on the outside, and Mike Repole’s Stay Thirsty, at the rail, tracked closely behind Shackleford to the top the top of the stretch before Shackleford faded and Ruler On Ice took command. Despite a challenge from Stay Thirsty and Brilliant Speed, who had closed through the second turn and was toward the outside, Ruler On Ice held on to win by three-quarters of a length. The final time was 2:30.88