Sir Winston provided Mark Casse the final two jewels in the showcase for 3-year-old thoroughbreds and two-thirds of the Triple Crown.
He won the Preakness with War of Will, who was expected to battle Tacitus in the 1½ mile Belmont. And his other charge, Sir Winston captured the US$1.5 million Belmont Stakes, holding off favoured Tacitus by a length.
Sir Winston, who was making his Triple Crown debut, finished second in the Peter Pan Stakes under Rosario who rode him for the first time in that race. The Grade Two Peter Pan is the traditional prep for the Belmont.
"I said all week he was doing really well," Casse said. "He had a race over the track. What can I say? It's just exciting."
Preakness winner War of Will, another Belmont Stakes’ favourite finished ninth in the 10-horse field. He ran in all three races.
"I could see where War of Will was struggling a little bit," Casse said. "He looked like maybe he was a little flat today."Breaking from the No. 7 post, Sir Winston was eighth for the first half-mile with Rosario guiding him to the rail. In the stretch, Rosario angled Sir Winston off the rail and slightly bothered stablemate War of Will.
Then the chestnut colt started to rally on the final turn and held off a late run from Tacitus, who had an extremely wide trip under jockey Jose Ortiz.
From the beginning, Joevia took the lead and set the pace with Tax closely tracking, on the fast track under sunny skies. Joevia finished third and Tax was fourth.
Master Fencer was fifth followed by Spinoff, Everfast, Intrepid Heart, War of Will and Bourbon War.
In short it was a perfect finish to a crazy Triple Crown.
Other key races on the Belmont Stakes under card also had interesting endings
Mitole extended his winning streak to seven. Pressing on with every step, Mitole put away pacesetting Coal Front in midstretch and held off the late challenge by Bob Baffert trained-McKinzie. The Eskendereya colt prevailed in the US$1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap (AKA The Met Mile) by three quarters of a length. Thunder Snow, the richest active thoroughbred with over US$16 million in earnings, was third.
Trainer Chad Brown landed a 1-2-3 in the US$1 million Manhattan Stakes Bricks and Mortar stretched his winning streak to five, besting stablemate Robert Bruce by 1-plus lengths. Raging Bull was third.
Chad Brown trained-Guarana, beat Gr.1 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress by a whopping six lengths in the US$700,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Watch the Belmont Stakes, Met Mile, Manhattan Stakes and The Acorn Replays Here
And click here for the complete results of the Belmont Stakes, Met Mile, Manhattan Stakes and The Acon Stakes
Click Here For Full Finishing List 2019
Race Info:
Distance: 1½ miles (12 furlongs), Record: 2:24, Secretariat (1973), Surface: Dirt, Track: Left-handed, Qualification: 3-year-olds, Weight: Colt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg); Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg), Purse: US$1.5 million,1st: $800,000