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2012 Belmont Stakes: Hall Of Fame Jockey Reacts To Victory

The people behind 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags will always the pull-out of potential Triple Crown winner I'll Have Another hanging over their title, but that didn't dampen their spirits after a race that was nonetheless thrilling. Union Rags, who skipped the Preakness after a seventh place finish in the Kentucky Derby, came from behind to overtake Paynter, who was one of the favorites going into the race.

Union Rags was manned by jockey John Velazquez, a racing Hall of Fame jockey who won the Belmont in 2007 atop Rags to Riches. After the race, Velazquez expressed how impressed and proud he was of his horse:

"I have to give it to the horse. He did it all for me. He just worked so unbelievable and I was just hoping he could put that work into today's race and he did," said Velazquez. "I was very proud of him."

(via ESPN)

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