2002 Belmont Stakes

The 2002 Belmont Stakes won by the biggest longshot in Belmont history, the 70-1 Sarava, denying War Emblem the Triple Crown.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Thoroughbred
• Horse
• Racing
• Sarava
• Medaglia
• d'Oro
• Sunday
• Break
• War
• Emblem
• 2002
• Belmont
• Stakes
• Tom
• Durkin
• New
• York

[sarahroy85]

This is crazy!! Sarava is actually my dad's horse. He ran in england and was awful but was bred to run on dirt so my dad sent him over to the US. I didn't think he stood a chance because he's so small and was such an underdog. He ran again in another Grade 1 and came 4th but has been plagued by injuries (he almost died) so he's been happily retired to stud.

Thank you for putting this up so i can relive it again. It is a fantastic memory of my brave little horse!

[cf1970]

A great story, I'm happy it all worked out for Sarava in the end. He showed a nice turn of foot to win it.

My congratulations to your father and his team on winning the Belmont Stakes.

Thank you for sharing, and for watching.

[PiquetBT52]

One of the hardest fortunes ever made!!! It took me 2 hours of looking at my pace figures, but the answer was clear, single Sarava. With one prediction down, I made another as I signed the IRS form, this horse (Sarava) will never win again. Unfortunate that I was correct on that one. I loved the guy!!! Thanks for putting this up. For a few years now I still get goosebumps whenever I hear "...And Saaaaarava has come on through!" Thank you Tom Durkin!!

[cf1970]

Wonderful story. Thank YOU for sharing it. Sarava ran a fine race that day. Durkin sure knows how to raise the excitement level at just the right time. Take care.

[tobrien28]

Had my dad put 2 dollars on this horse way back when I was 11. One of the most exciting times i've had watching a race live. Underdogs are what makes sports great

[Rockfish222]

Had him......$5.00 across the board.....how I missed the exacta, I will never know...but a good day, none the less.....

[ponygal99]

I rode on Like A Hero at a summer camp in fl :)

[vidEvWill]

@sarahroy85 Congrats, just read this. I was a little suprised then but I read this story and I am happy to see this. It really shows how hard it is to win one of those things and I am glad to hear from a great winner.

[DoTheDanwah]

War Emblem is my all time favorite horse...all black beast

[BettorOffSingle]

I picked this one in my sheet. Longest winner I ever had until a $187.20 horse at the meadowlands.

[LucyLovettLestrange]

@sarahroy85  Cool!

[chiptastrophe]

how this horse won? medaglia d' oro was a very nice horse. Also becoming a very nice sire of fillies. Rachel etc.

[Willparkerify]

When i was 7 years old I picked Sarava to win because he had the coolest name. My uncle bet $2 for me and I think i won $250!

[BettorOffSingle]

@sarahroy85 I picked this horse and had him, but didn't have Meg D'Oro (Rachel Alexandra's sire, btw), or I would have had a $2,400+ exacta!

Sarava had won a stake on the Preakness undercard, coming from off the pace, on a day when speed was very strong. He was lightly-raced and should have been more like 10-1 than 70-1.