Horse's big shot pays off

NEW YORK - Drosselmeyer finally got a shot in a Triple Crown race and it paid off with an upset in the $1 million Belmont Stakes.

Left out of the Kentucky Derby because he hadn't earned enough money to qualify, Drosselmeyer staged a stirring stretch run and beat Fly Down by three-quarters of a length Saturday in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

With neither Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver nor Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky in the field, the 1 1/2-mile Belmont looked to be a matchup of classic runner-ups - Ice Box from the Derby vs. First Dude from the Preakness.

First Dude took the lead from the start, but couldn't hold off Drosselmeyer in the stretch and finished third. Ice Box, the 9-5 favorite trained by Nick Zito, was never in contention and finished ninth in the 12-horse field.

Fly Down, also trained by Zito, was the second choice at 5-1.

The victory not only reaffirmed Drosselmeyer's talent after failing to win in his past three starts, it also produced a few firsts for a pair of Hall of Famers.

Jockey Mike Smith ended his 0 for 12 record in the Belmont, and trainer Bill Mott won his first Triple Crown race.

"It all came together," said Mott, best known as the trainer of the great Cigar in 1995-96. "I think it was just a matter of time with some of the good horses I get to train that it was going to happen."

One reason it happened may be a jockey switch to Smith from Kent Desormeaux.

"I felt like the horse needed a little change in routine," said WinStar Farm racing manager Elliott Walden. "We went to Mike because we felt he would get him in a rhythm and keep him running. This horse really kicked hard turning for home and finished strong."

WinStar seems to making all the right calls these days, and closed out the Triple Crown with wins in two races - they also own Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. Super Saver and Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky did not run in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

On a hot, sunny Saturday in front of 45,243 at Belmont Park, Drosselmeyer was sent off at odds of 13-1. It was Smith who made a key decision to keep his long-striding colt in the clear. He eased the gleaming chestnut to the outside for the run down the backstretch, always keeping First Dude within range.

Drosselmeyer made a four wide move on the final turn and continued widest of all, eventually reeling in First Dude and then holding off a late charge

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