It was Creator by a nose in one of the closet finishes in Belmont Stakes history. And you can watch it all over again on our video replay above.
2016 Belmont Stakes video replay: Creator beats Destin in a photo finish
Watch as Creator ekes out the narrowest of wins in the Test of Champions.
NBC
Trainer Steve Asmussen’s 3-year-old won the 148th running of the Test of Champions in the fourth photo finish in Belmont Stakes history after jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. gave his charge a push at just the right time to edge Destin and win in 2 minutes, 28.51 seconds.
Lani, the Japanese colt, finished in third 1-3/4 lengths back. Preakness winner Exaggerator finished 11th of 13 on the 1-1/2 mile dirt track, nearly 14 lengths back.
As expected, Gettysburg took a quick lead out of the gate and led by a length after the first quarter mile (24.09 seconds) and held that lead at a half-mile (48.48). Gettysburg continued to lead down the back stretch, crossing 3/4 miles in 1:13.38 and 1 mile at 1:37.96.
Destin took the lead coming down the front stretch, while Creator made a late charge to force a photo finish.
After American Pharoah won all three Triple Crown races last year, the crown was divided evenly in 2016. Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby, but finished several lengths back in his next race. Exaggerator won the Preakness, but finished outside the top three in the Belmont.
Below, Ortiz talks about Creator’s victory:
See More:
