THE STORY
On June 6, 2009, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, jockey Kent Desormeaux guided Summer Bird to victory in the 141st Belmont Stakes. Despite being an 11-1 underdog, Summer Bird surged in the final stretch to win by 2¾ lengths over Dunkirk, with Mine That Bird finishing third. This win marked Desormeaux's first Belmont Stakes victory after previous near-misses in 1998 and 2008.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Summer Bird
WHY IT MATTERS
This race is notable for Desormeaux's redemption after two previous near-misses in the Belmont Stakes, highlighting the unpredictable nature of horse racing and the significance of strategic decisions by jockeys.