With 38-1 odds, Da’ Tara captured the Belmont Stakes, ending the dream of the Big Brown Triple Crown.  When it became clear Big Brown wasn’t a top 3 horse, jockey Kent Desormeaux let up and finished last - the first horse vying for the Triple Crown to finish last at Belmont.  Desormeaux commented after the race, “Something’s wrong, so I took care of him”.

The irony in Da Tara’s Belmont Stakes victory is that his trainer, Nick Zito, is the same trainer who thwarted Smarty Jones’ bid for the Triple Crown in 2004, when his horse Birdstone grabbed the victory.  In that race, Smarty Jones finished 2nd. Â 

It was just the second career win - and first stakes win - for Da’ Tara.  The last time Big Brown and Da’ Tara raced, Brown won by 23 lengths. 

Da’ Tara Profile [Thoroughbred Times]